We read with interest the inaugural editorial by Peter Tyrer (Reference Tyrer2003). We especially welcome his hope to continue the quest of his predecessor to make the Journal ‘the leading international journal of general psychiatry’. Responding to his invitation for feedback, we offer the following comments and suggestions.
As suggested by Patel & Sumathipala (Reference Patel and Sumathipala2001), evidence to influence mental health policies and practices at the international level will often have to come from research done both within and outside the cultural and health systems of Western Europe and America. In 1996 to 1998, of the articles published in the Journal, only 6.5% were from the ‘rest of the world’ (Reference Patel and SumathipalaPatel & Sumathipala, 2001). Between 1991–1992 and 2001–2002, the regional distribution of contributions has remained largely the same (65–69% from the UK, 3–4% from Asia, Africa and South America) (Reference Catapano and CastleCatapano & Castle, 2003). Obviously, the Journal has a long way to go in obtaining contributions from and with relevance to countries across the world. The negligible representation of members based in low- or middle-income countries on the Editorial Board (one among 69 members) (Reference Saxena, Levav and MaulikSaxena et al, 2003) is also incongruent, perhaps even incompatible with being truly international.
We suggest a few steps that might be taken by the Journal under the new Editor. First, more Editorial Board members should be recruited from low- and middle-income countries. It is likely that at least some suitable candidates from psychiatrists and researchers working in Asia, Africa and Latin America can be found if a serious search is made. Second, the Journal should use international relevance as a criterion in selection of articles for publication, in addition to the criterion of scientific excellence, which should remain uncompromised. Third, the Journal should be proactive in attracting and supporting submissions from low- and middle-income countries. This could include, for example, appointing regional Deputy Editors, launching special sections and themes (e.g. ‘Psychiatry around the world’, referred to by Reference WilkinsonWilkinson, 2003) and assistance with editing for authors whose first language is not English.
We believe that concrete steps like these will make the Journal's aim of becoming truly international more easily achievable.
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