Medical Editors annual short course

"The workshop I attended two years ago was very useful, informative and educational, and it was also a golden opportunity to meet other editors. I would recommend it very highly." Prof Bernard M Y Cheung, Postgraduate Medical Journal

Editors must ensure that their journals satisfy their owners, their authors, and their readers: however most editors are full-time scientists and clinicians and have had little formal training in the management of a journal. Despite this, they are expected to provide leadership and manage a complex and time-consuming system of quality control and journal development. This two-day course, now in its 23rd year, looks at the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to run a successful publication.

The focus on the course is on strategies for developing a medical journal, paying special attention to:

1. How to publish better content 
   1. ​Working with authors, attracting higher quality submissions
   2. Working with reviewers, improving quality control
2. How to increase impact
   1. ​Thinking of readers, what to publish, and how
   2. Thinking of promotion, how editors can raise awareness

Throughout the course there is discussion of ethical behaviours (and problems) and how to ensure international standards are met.

By the end of the course participants will be able to…

1. understand the roles of editor and how to  maximise the effectiveness of editorial boards,

2. identify strategies for improving the quality of content by attracting good articles,

3. identify and deal with ethical issues to ensure the integrity of their journal,

4. ensure that the journal meets the needs of the readers,

5. improve visibility and impact of the journal, and 

6. have a clear action plan for the coming year.

The workshop is endorsed and supported by the BMJ group, Wiley, and EASE.

What form does the course take

The course concentrates on group and practical work rather than formal lectures – active participation is encouraged. Participants are provided with a coursebook that includes extensive notes and background reading for use after the course.

The course runs with approximately 24 participants from around the world with a range of experience, and there is plenty of time for interaction.

Who should (and should not) attend

This course has been designed for those who want to ensure their journals meet international standards and are recognised as successful. It is particularly suitable for those in the early stages of their careers as an editor but will benefit anyone involved in managing or planning journals – some editors return to take the course again after several years.

The course is not aimed at meeting the needs of those looking for a course on writing articles for publication, technical editing or peer review/critical appraisal.

Course tutors

Pippa Smart: I am both a publishing consultant and EiC of Learned Publishing and have many years' experience of providing training to editors and publishing staff. Although based in the UK, I have worked with editors from all around the world. I am President-Elect of the European Association of Science Editors (EASE).

Dr Domhnall MacAuley is currently Consultant-Associate Editor with the Canadian Medical Association Journal and works with the EQUATOR on workshops to increase take-up of reporting guidelines. He began his editorial career in 1994 with Forum, the Journal of the Irish College of General Practitioners and since then has held various editorial roles within the BMJ group; editor of the British Journal of Sports Medicine (1995-2000), appointed associate editor at the BMJ in 2000, and editor (Primary Care) in 2006. He has been on the editorial board of eight other international journals (including PLOS Medicine), and is also a prolific author having published more than 250 articles, seven books and 78 original research papers. Outside of journals editing, he was appointed Professor of Primary Health Care at the University of Ulster in 1997, and remains a visiting Professor with them.