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Tokyo, Japan
Professor Barron is affiliated with the International Medical Communications Center, Tokyo Medical University.
Correspondence to: J. Patrick Barron, International Medical Communications Center, Tokyo Medical University, 6–7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan; email: jpb{at}imcc-tmu.jp
A New Section in CHEST
"Given the importance of medical writing to the progress of civilization, one might expect the art to be widely cultivated and highly perfected. Such is not the case at all. Modern medical literature is some of the most vapid, obscure, tortuous, and unreadable material in print."1 We would submit that the obtaining of information, especially clinical information, involving as it does the cooperation and rights of patients, carries with it the inherent ethical obligation to communicate the knowledge that can be derived therefrom with maximal impact.
In this issue of CHEST (see page 822),2 we introduce the first article of a new section, entitled "Medical Writing Tips of the Month." The purpose of this new section of CHEST is to improve the ability of our potential authors to write in the most understandable and communicative manner possible and to enhance the understanding of our readers. As Dr. Richard Irwin noted in his recent editorials,34 the new focus and structure of CHEST includes a variety of new sections to educate our readers and to provide new areas of content.
To that end, we have recruited a group of highly experienced authors, editors, and biostatisticians to give us the benefit of their experience in a wide and, we believe, highly interesting range of topics concerning medical writing. Each month will bring you an article on a different topic. This should be of great interest and value not only to authors, but also to readers, enhancing the ability to critically appraise medical papers.
Articles in this section will essentially consist of two formats: one consisting of actual examples of poor communication (eg, "What is wrong with this ... ?"), with suggestions for how they might be improved; and the other addressing concepts related to communications in the field of medicine, such as the "Uniform Requirements for the Submission of Manuscripts to Biomedical Journals" and publishing ethics. Please inform us of any topic that you particularly wish to be addressed, and we will try to include it on our scheduled menu.
This section is yet another aspect of the goal of CHEST to contribute to the area of education in the fields of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine; thoracic surgery; cardiorespiratory interactions; and related disciplines; and to provide interesting and valuable content to members of the American College of Chest Physicians and to CHEST readers and subscribers.
Footnotes
Professor Barron has no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.
References
This article has been cited by other articles:
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  S. J. Welch Avoiding Common Problems During Online Submission of Manuscripts Chest, May 1, 2007; 131(5): 1591 - 1594. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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R. S. Irwin Clinical Trial Registration Promotes Patient Protection and Benefit, Advances the Trust of Everyone, and Is Required Chest, March 1, 2007; 131(3): 639 - 641. [Full Text] [PDF]
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S. J. Welch Preparing Manuscripts for Online Submission: Basic Information and Avoidance of Common Pitfalls Chest, March 1, 2006; 129(3): 822 - 825. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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