Canadian Medical Association Journal 1996; 154: 240
Dr. Stuart MacLeod, chair of the Publications Committee, told the December meeting of the Board of Directors that the department would like to pursue negotiations that would see it expand the line of medical publications it either publishes or produces. Dr. Léo-Paul Landry, the secretary general, said projects being considered will involve "close cooperation with a number of other medical associations." He said the CMA is looking toward expansion because it "may represent a good opportunity to create links within a far-flung medical community."
In addition to CMAJ and CJS, the CMA currently publishes CMA News, Strategy, the Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy, the Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal, Mediscan (a publication for medical students), the Federation of Medical Women of Canada Newsletter and informed, which is produced by Ontario's Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences.
The board learned that the CMA is in the final stages of developing CMANet, an Internet service that would see additional services offered to physicians in an electronic format; it would also provide Internet access at competitive rates. "This service could become a major factor in creating unity within the profession by establishing a national electronic relationship among physicians," MacLeod said.
A report prepared for the board said the Internet service could enhance communication with members and allow for the inexpensive delivery of many additional services, such as full-text delivery of clinical practice guidelines.