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, which has been held annually for over 10 years and trained almost 500 medical editors, 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 of the European Association of Science Editors (EASE) and a Director of the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME). 

Dr Domhnall MacAuley is Editor of BJGP (British Journal of General Practice). He began his editorial career in 1994 with Forum, the Journal of the Irish College of General Practitioners and since then has held a number of editorial roles including Consultant-Associate Editor with the Canadian Medical Association Journal; Primary Care Editor at the BMJ; Associate Editor at PLOS Medicine and; Editor of the British Journal of Sports Medicine. He has been on the editorial board of eight other international journals. He was previously Professor of Primary Health Care (Research) at the University of Ulster and has published extensively.