Rapid Responses to:
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Rapid Responses: Rapid Responses published:
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![[Read Rapid Response]](/icons/misc/sectionDOWN.gif)
A sad day for free access.
- Leonardo G Fugoso Jr (14 October 2004)
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A Sad Day for all of us.
- Charles A West (15 October 2004)
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Re: A Sad Day for all of us. Freedom (of information) fighters
- susanne mccabe (16 October 2004)
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Re: A sad day for free access. - but see STUDENT BMJ
- susanne mccabe (16 October 2004)
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A joyful day for medical students...
- Adrian S. Blaj (17 October 2004)
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Re: A joyful day for medical students...
- susanne mccabe (18 October 2004)
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Leonardo G Fugoso Jr, neurologist Private Practice, Manila Philippines 1100
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It was a sad day when I lost my free access to the JNNP. It would be sadder still once the BMJ turns off the juice by the end of this year. I could not believe that the BMJ classified us in the Philippines as being able to afford a subscription to these journals. I work in a major teaching hospital here in the Philippines and our medical library does not have a subscription to these journals. Our subscription to the "green journal" Neurology ran out in 2002 and has not been renewed. It was great while it lasted. At least we can get the full text after a year. Competing interests: None declared |
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Charles A West, Locum GP and Health Informatician Shropshire
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I think many of us will be sad to see the BMJ retreat behind access controls. The Journal lead the way in free open access, and even those of us who pay for, and regularly receive the paper journal valued the convenience of simple on-line access. The inconvenience of logging in, particularly for those whose work is of a peripatetic nature will be an inconvenience, as it has been for the British National Formulary. For many readers world-wide who are not in those countries deemed the "poorest" the access controls will effectively remove access to the BMJ. We shall all watch events with interest. Charles West Competing interests: None declared |
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susanne mccabe, retired cf24 3pf
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I did think restricted access would be an understandable development, but I do not agree with it. Could there be ways around at least some of these restrictions? eg Those of us who can afford to, could sponsor somebody who can't - the idea that access to information is denied to all is totally uncivilised, because of poverty,is degrading to us all. Those who disagree with restrictions could try to contribute through rapid responses as far as possible. Those with access might use the 'e-mail a friend'' facility more often. Somebody who is knowledgeable enough could open a new web site for free exchange of information.....and without sponsoring from drug companies etc. There is hardly a medical site which does not restrict access in one way or another,or which does not claim the right to edit submissions, when what the world needs is to communicate and to share. The BMJ does not print though, without agreeing alterations which is an impprovement on other sites. Total up how much it costs to access even a few journals - if a computer is owned in the first place; it is out of the reach of many who do not have access to tax payers funding through work or throgh contacts made in publicly funded institutions.(I don't have much sympathy with complaints about the incovenience of logging in though, millions would be only too happy to do so). Un/Ethical practice in medicine, which includes the need to hang onto power by exclusivity and the obstruction of free access to information, slips and slides to the detriment of mainly underpriveledged people but also skews the dvelopment of theories by blocking creative input from all sections of society. (soostevens@hotmail.com). Competing interests: old camapigner for freedom of information |
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susanne mccabe, retired cf 24 3pf
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I was slow to access the Student BMJ this week.....Have you seen the Editorial by Editors of the Public Library of Science? (27th September 2004). The Journal of Medicine as well as others will offer free access to all..Thank goodness there are so many academics from all over the world prepared to stand up for equality of access to information and debate. Is it not ironic to read this article in the Student BMJ the same month as BMJ announces restrictions? Competing interests: None declared |
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Adrian S. Blaj, Psychiatrist Chase Farm Hospital, London, EN2 8NL
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... and less worries for them trying to keep updated in a live fashion! Now they can concentrate on their textbooks and have one less reason not to sleep during lectures. After all, if they are bombarded with excessive information, scared with publication must and impact factors, they may lose their interest in medicine altogether. Some of us certainly did not have BMJ free access and still managed to become good clinicians. The rapid response section surely damages my health - I spend more time in front of the computer than with my wife. Very sad indeed. Maybe the time is ripe to put all of those addictive journal behind close access... Competing interests: None declared |
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susanne mccabe, retired cf 24 3pf
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Surely restricting students to textbook learning is more likely to deaden enthusiasm than the inclusion of some flexi-time for independant reading and discussion of journals.Information about the various journals available on-line should be a part of course content by now.They will not be able to practice without them. Many students will not find them a chore but an additional scource of interest..It is also healthy to become aware of a diversity of views and to have the chance to publish their own views - which more and more are doing. Your own account of the scrupulous way you dealt with the negative affects of a contentious drug (British Journal of Psychiatry Sept 2004, R.R.) would be interesting reading for students. Very few students in UK and other wealthy countries will not be able to afford total access to the BMJ - but a way around the restrictions would be to form small study groups and share the subscription cost. Competing interests: None declared |
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