Open access journals: what you should know

Should open access be the way to publish research? This has been the centre of a great debate between academic publishers, scientists, funding organisations, and governments (including, more recently, Donald Trump).1 Publishing research is important for many in medicine, particularly those who are aiming for competitive specialties or who want to have academia as part of their career. From medical students applying to the foundation programme to consultants applying for jobs, all are rewarded for having their work published. This reflects the integral part that research plays in medicine—we owe to research much of our medical knowledge. With research, we continue to expand this knowledge, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care. Participating in the research process also develops fundamental skills, such as teamwork and interpersonal relationships, which are transferable to clinical practice.