Graphically thrilling, medically, scientifically and technologically relevant – we stand at the threshold of a most progressive concept in sharing medical information. On behalf of the staff and editors, welcome to the premiere issue of the Journal of Surgical Radiology. With its multidisciplinary philosophy and advanced connectivity we are venturing into uncharted territory, exploring a “new world” of education heeding the call of both factual information and a visceral impression of how best to respond to the ever changing environment in which we learn and practice in our fields.
Accessed primarily as a free, online publication, the Journal of Surgical Radiology promises innovation in assimilating information about medicine and medical practice. The past twenty five years have seen dramatic changes in the methods employed to acquire medical information. Prior to the widespread use of computers and computer databases, one performed a literature search using a library index card system or by simply asking a knowledgeable individual to suggest relevant articles and those references generated cross references as one’s source of information. With the advent of computerized databases, medical search engines were used to generate a series of reference articles and, over time, those became largely available online as well.
Today when a medical student, resident or physician wants information about a topic, they turn to Google or a similar lay search engine, very often using a handheld device. Now, the Journal of Surgical Radiology renders past methods archaic, maximizing this modern learning paradigm by utilizing native availability for the iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, and Windows smartphones. Anticipating the upcoming generation of highly connected surgeons and radiologists, Journal of Surgical Radiology will push regular journal updates via RSS (Really Simple Syndication) to your desktop or portable, interfacing with authors and readers via Facebook and Twitter, and featuring its relevant videos on YouTube.
As imaging for medical diagnosis and treatment becomes exponentially complex the surgeon is increasingly challenged to interpret these imaging modalities. With such advances in radiologic techniques, the ability to demonstrate a radiologic finding in one or two static print images is woefully inadequate. The Journal of Surgical Radiology addresses these challenges by providing links to entire studies. In this issue our readers can view dynamic imaging techniques such as the real-time echocardiogram demonstrating a massive thromboembolism or the surgery video of rib plating for flail chest.1,2 By delivering relevant information in the most sophisticated manner possible the Journal of Surgical Radiology hopes to facilitate clarity and understanding of these modalities and their applications.
Increasingly, patient care is delivered in a patient-centric or disease-centric fashion, as opposed to the traditional organization around medical specialties. To this end, multidisciplinary organizations, or service lines, are being developed with greater integration of once separate disciplines such as surgery and radiology. To our knowledge, the Journal of Surgical Radiology represents the first serial medical publication to embody and promote this cross-specialty approach to care.
Given the unconventional nature of this new journal, it is most gratifying that so many distinguished individuals have volunteered their services as members of the Editorial Board. Thank you, courageous editors for enlisting to embark upon this journey with us. Thank you contributors for your topical and enlightening pieces. And thank you, readers for without you, this would not be possible.
References
1. Lo D, Shapiro M. Extrathoracic lung herniation from blunt trauma. J Surg Radiol. 2010 Jul 1;1(1).
2. Schroeder R. Massive thromboembolism captured by real-time echocardiography. J Surg Radiol. 2010 Jul 1;1(1).
Cynthia Shortell, MD
Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Surgical Radiology
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