Editorial
A BMJ for the United States
Cite this as:
BMJ
2012;345:e6628
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4 December 2012
The decision by the management and editorial team at the BMJ to launch an American edition of bmj.com (1) has the potential to improve access to health research and evidence specific to that world region. This innovative move can also improve engagement with health related issues in that part of the world as well as encourage more robust debate regarding health research and related issues.
The BMJ brand is known for a high standard of thoroughness and quality. Among international general medical journals, the BMJ is recognised globally for its credibility and reliability. In fact it is not only respected by medical professionals, but also by other professionals and practitioners in the healthcare sector. Even within the BMJ Group, there is a sense of uniqueness and nobility in the way workers perceive the organisation’s objectives (2).
It is based on the association of the BMJ with these values that one wonders about the choice of the USA as the first region to benefit from the innovative “geotargetting” approach. Considering how much medical and healthcare journalism can contribute to strengthening healthcare systems, it could be argued that the territories with the greatest need require the most urgent allocation of relevant resources. Especially if such a resource is as innovative as this one is.
Complex problems in sub-Saharan African healthcare systems mean that access to healthcare in the region is inadequate. Despite global health initiatives such as the millennium development goals, there are indications that more work needs to be done in the region (3). In addition to supporting relevant projects, the international community of healthcare stakeholders also closely monitor fairness and equity regarding resource allocation to this region. For instance, the pharmaceutical industry has been criticised for neglecting the development of drugs against tropical diseases (4).
It should then be logical to assume that the “geotargeting” technology would first be employed in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, where there is a desperate need for robust debate and evidence based practice. Although the decision by the management and editorial at the BMJ may have been underpinned by other relevant factors, this journal must not neglect the consideration of established British values such as equity and fairness in the way their resources are allocated.
References
1.Payne D. and Godlee F. A BMJ for the United States. 2012. [online] Available at: http://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e6628 (accessed 10 th November 2012).
2.BMJ Group. Why work for BMJ Group. 2012. [online] Available at: http://group.bmj.com/group/employment/why-work-for-bmj-group (accessed 21st November 2012).
3.Sanders D. et al. "Confronting Africa's health crisis: more of the same will not be enough." BMJ 2005; 331(7519): 755-758.
4.Schull M. Pharmaceutical industry should lead the development of new drugs. 2000. [online] Available at: http://www.bmj.com/rapid-response/2011/10/28/pharmaceutical-industry-sho... (accessed 14th November 2012).
Competing interests: The Author is from sub-Saharan Africa.
University of Leeds, Baines Wing
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4 October 2012
Sirs: I am responding to your editorial on your American edition. I am a new subscriber to the BMJ. I am attracted by the Journal's good writing, honesty, and relative absence of Marxist enthusiasm. This is in comparison to the NEJM and the AMA. Please remember that this American is interested in the mother country's side of things.
Competing interests: None declared
self employed, 1801 Port Manleigh, Newport Beach, Ca 92660
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3 October 2012
Dear Dhastagir Sheriff,
Many thanks for your prompt response to this article. Your feedback is much appreciated, and I will certainly be taking your excellent suggestions to the US editorial team.
As part of this whole project we had lots of discussions about what makes us distinct, and you're right, our Britishness is certainly one of them. But we are also very much an international title, as your responses (and others from doctors outside the UK) demonstrates.
Competing interests: I edit bmj.com
BMJ, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC2A
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3 October 2012
Geotargeting is an excellent way to provide and receive scientific knowledge from the European and American side. A focus on US problems of science and medicine - say, primary to tertiary health care with input on tropical diseases followed by obesity related global health problems - would be a good beginning. This will also bring the scientific community closer which currently is isolated, losing its identity in work load or in the midst of the corporate world.
The scientific community and physicians are also human beings. Articles on human compassion and an appreciation of the humane work done by scientists and physicians through an international journal would be motivating.
But in the pursuit of geotargeting one must not lose the identity of a journal - British Medical Journal - which has its unique style and content which we cherish. Sometimes we long to publish yet we can do no more than what we can do with our limited resources. It is time that we salute the Editor and editorial team for the excellent work they are doing and the vision they have to target science relevant to the region and geographical location. We wish the best outcome comes out of it, scientifically and holistically.
Competing interests: None declared
Faculty of Medicine, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya
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