Do you relish interesting times?: Call for applicants for the 2001 CMAJ Editorial Fellowship

These are interesting times in medical publishing. For over 300 years the scientific journal has served as gatekeeper, judge and archive of contributions to the scholarly record. But, even as the printing press allowed the emergence of scientific journals, another technologic innovation is signalling their possible demise ... or transformation. The rise of electronic media allows scientists to publish and archive information without relying on traditional publishers. Creation of a global data archive, say its supporters, can reverse the balkanization of scientific scholarship, allow a completely transparent review process and equalize access across nations. Skeptics raise questions about quality control, durability of format and ownership.1 Meanwhile, traditional journals are left to anticipate the shape of the future as best they can. Most now have some form of Web presence and many are offering full-text content on-line, with supplementary material in novel formats. The most innovative are looking to influence the form of the global archive itself. CMAJ would like to be one of those innovators.

These are interesting times in medical practice as well. Our traditional Latin, Greek and eponymous lexicon has been expanded by such terms as “linkage analysis,” “statistical validity” and “continuing professional development.” Never mind the vocabulary we have acquired from managers and economists as we try to reconcile ourselves, our patients and our society to the mismatch between the seemingly infinite promise of science and the finite resources of the health care system. Medical knowledge is accumulating as never before. The patient–physican relationship is being transformed by changing values and new information sources. The rise of evidence-based medicine means that the art of medicine is trying very hard to become the science of medicine — and in the opinion of some, losing its soul on the way.

Do you relish interesting times? Three years ago CMAJ established its Editorial Fellowship, a 1-year editorial position for a recent physician graduate.2 The Editorial Fellow contributes a view from the trenches and whatever other experience and enthusiasms he or she has acquired over the years. To date the position has been filled by a graduate in both medicine and English with prior experience at the McGill Journal of Medicine,3 a newly licensed family physician and experienced social researcher midway through a residency in community medicine,4 and a basic researcher turned pathology resident with an interest in molecular medicine and bioinformatics.5 The Fellow is involved in the day-to-day work of the journal: screening and reviewing manuscripts, selecting peer reviewers, corresponding with authors, editing articles and letters and researching and writing material for the journal. Increasingly Fellows have contributed to the rapid development of the on-line journal, eCMAJ. The Fellowship offers an opportunity to make contacts in medicine and medical publishing and to extend formal education through university courses in epidemiology, biostatistics and informatics, and through attendance at regional and international conferences. The Fellow also initiates special projects consistent with his or her interests. Past fellows have edited issues on emerging medical technologies, women's health and substance abuse; planned series include one on molecular medicine.

The Fellowship is for 1 year, starting July 1, 2001. Candidates should be recent medical graduates or residents. The position is full time and based in Ottawa, so residents who will not have finished residency by July 1 would arrange a leave of absence for the duration of the Fellowship. The salary is based on the equivalent residency remuneration in Ontario, with a supplement in lieu of benefits.

If the CMAJ Editorial Fellowship appeals to you, please send us your curriculum vitae, a letter declaring your interest, and anything else that you feel would help you introduce yourself. There are no biases about background; previous editorial, research or epidemiological experience is not required — although any of those would prove useful. Fluency in English, however, rates as a survival trait! If you have any questions, please contact the present Editorial Fellow, Alison Sinclair, by phone (800 663-7336 x2095) or email (sincla@cma.ca).