Perspective
Training by Publication: Can Journal be mentors
Case Report | Volume 6 | Issue 1 | JOCR Jan-Mar 2016 | Page 82-83 | Shyam AK. DOI: 10.13107/jocr.2250-0685-386
Author: Ashok Shyam Editor- Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports. Email: drashokshyam@yahoo.co.uk
Medical education specifically Surgical Training has been under scrutiny and various loop holes have been identified [1,2]. One to the major loopholes is lack of mentorship and not structure or program to ensure good mentorship for our trainees [2]. In this era, technology has been promoted as an education tool as well as a tool that can be used for surgical training [3], With this line of thought I feel Journals are in the best position to utilise technology and provide focused mentorship in various areas.
Of course this idea has to be well thought out and has to be structured to be effective. One the best technologies that has helped journals is easy availability of online platforms to publish and distribute material. Journals can now publish articles that can have wide outreach and especially Google has helped articles to reach a wide audience. Specific websites like Research gate, Academia.edu etc. are also very good forums where articles can be shared. Another great tool is ability to host videos and PowerPoint online. Through this medium, surgical techniques, case presentations, lectures etc. can be easily shared and distributed. These videos and lectures can be very useful for the trainees and can help them get different views from different speakers. Although all this can also be made available on a normal website and also on sites like VuMedi, using journals as a platform to do this will have more impact. Firstly this can be kept more organised and information about it can be distributed well in advanced. Secondly, members of the editorial board of prominent members from the academic field can be invited to contribute. Thirdly new and innovative ways can be devised to address this issue. All these combined with wide outreach can help improve training status of students across the globe.
This principle of ‘Training by Publication’ has been highlighted by journals from our research group. In our journal of bone and soft tissue tumors we have started a special oncomedia section which will have devoted section for postgraduate students [4]. Similarly journal of orthopaedic case reports will also promote the section on technical notes, where details of technique along with videos can be provided. We already have few such technical notes published and these are widely viewed and appreciated [5]. I believe such technical notes and videos will be very helpful for our trainees and request our authors to submit more such videos and technical notes. One more variation that we have tried in our journal specially Trauma international where we run symposiums on specific fractures where authors are requested to write on various aspect of fracture care including complications and their management. In the same line, our Journal of orthopaedic complications is scheduled to be launched in Jan 2016 and will cover most of the intricacies of management and prevention of complications.
One of the major hurdle for promoting journals as mentors for surgical training is one way communication that traditional journals are based on. I believe journals should be more interactive with their readers and get their view point in compiling journal issues. With this in mind we would like to propose a section of letters from readers, or comments from readers which can be on any topic that is published in the journal. They may also give us opinion on the topics they wish the journal to publish and also provide details of experts who can be invited. For example one of our readers listed to a lecture by an expert on a specific point, and feels that wide distribution of the knowledge would benefit many more, he can suggest the topic and author to us. We can then invite the author to write on the specific topic in details. Readers can also contribute suggestions in terms of formats or new forms of articles they require for better understanding of the topic.
This to and fro communication will be the future of journals, which I believe should not be run only be the editorial board but should also heed to the opinions of its readers. Editorial board, authors and Reviewers are established pillars of a journal but I believe readers should be involved and in due course they will constitute the fourth pillar of journal and play an active part in deciding the future course of the Journals. Please write to us regarding this view point and I leave you with this to enjoy the new issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports.
References
1. Udwadia TE, Sen G. Surgical training in India. World J Surg. 2008 Oct;32(10):2150-5.
2. Sinclair P, Fitzgerald JE, Hornby ST, Shalhoub J. Mentorship in surgical training: current status and a needs assessment for future mentoring programs in surgery. World J Surg. 2015 Feb;39(2):303-13.
3. Evans CH, Schenarts KD. Evolving Educational Techniques in Surgical Training. Surg Clin North Am. 2016 Feb;96(1):71-88.
4. http://jbstjournal.com/oncomedia-sep-dec-2015/
5. Patwardhan S, Shyam AK. Use of Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy for Treatment of Congenital Knee dislocation – Technical note. J Orthopaedic Case Reports 2012 July Sep;2(3):25-27.
| How to Cite This Article: Shyam AK. Training by Publication: Can Journal be mentors? Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports 2016 Jan – Mar;6(1): 82-83. Available from: https://www.jocr.co.in/wp/2016/01/02/2250-0685-386-fulltext/ |
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