The journal evolves

Jonathan L. Meakins, MD, FRCSC
Coeditor

Canadian Journal of Surgery 1996; 39: 4

In the February 1993 issue of the Canadian Journal of Surgery we wrote, as new coeditors, an editorial entitled "The Journal expands its role," reflecting on the recent financial crisis with the Journal and how we thought the Journal might evolve. Since then, a number of new features have been introduced, designed to make the Canadian Journal of Surgery more relevant to the Canadian surgical community, not only by discipline but by providing increasingly broad clinical interest.

The sponsoring societies and their editorial representatives have played a significant role in the evolution of the Journal, particularly its contents. The accompanying table documents the distribution of articles by the activities of the sponsoring societies. Because of overlap, cardiac, thoracic and vascular subjects have been grouped, despite the reality that they are separate disciplines. Many articles cover two or more areas of clinical interest; in these cases, the dominant area or that of the main author was selected. The increased number of articles represents the new features. The journal is clearly moving to reflect the make-up of its sponsoring societies.

The present balance of the Canadian Journal of Surgery contents will continue, with an increase in material relevant to all surgeons. As our health care world contracts, the physicians who operate, despite their distinctness, have much in common: the operating room, the nature of their work, the need for technology, changes in practice and common approaches to dissimilar problems. We are excited about how the Canadian Journal of Surgery is evolving and look forward to the future.

CJS: Feb. 1996

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