Description

On some journeys, a brand new path needs to be forged. On others, a clear path
is already in place and is to be extended. I take over as editor from Alastair
Forbes who, in just over 6 years has raised the journal from its early beginnings,
to a robust CME publication with a growing readership. This is the second occasion on
which I find myself presented with the challenge of following Alastair. The first was in
1993, when I succeeded him as Chairman of Trainees In Gastroenterology an equally
hard act to follow. I am sure that our readers and contributors will join me in
congratulating and thanking Alastair for bringing the journal to its present enviable
position and wish him every success with his forthcoming projects.

The formula for the journal will remain much the same, with three issues per year, each
comprising three review articles, one or two instructive case reports and MCQs accredited
by the Royal Colleges. The journal relies heavily on the enthusiasm of trainees, best
expressed by a steady stream of submissions of material. I hope this will continue unabated.
The high quality of material submitted is the life-blood of the journal and is crucial to the
process of getting the publication listed on Medline an end to which considerable progress
has been made.

The next few issues of the journal will feature a series of articles dealing with the interface
between gastroenterology and other medical disciplines. The intention is to ensure that
interface really means a well covered overlap rather than a gap in knowledge. In this issue Drs
Menzies, McIntyre and Wathen make an excellent start to the series by reviewing the
interface with respiratory medicine. Also in this issue, Drs Slater, Taylor, Burling and
Halligan review the method, indications and latest results of the rapidly developing method
of CT colonography. Although they suggest, with justification, that the appropriate
comparison of this method is to the barium enema, one suspects that in practice, comparison
to colonoscopy is inevitable. Audit, from which lessons of wide application ensue, is deemed
appropriate for a CME journal. One such example is the audit of the trainees perspective of
colonoscopy training in the NW Thames region, presented by Drs Thomas-Gibson and BP
Saunders. The audit identifies deficiencies (and successes) in the provision of training,
which no doubt apply to other regions of the UK, and continental Europe.

As incoming editor, I welcome you to this issue and look forward to your contributions.
Through a lively correspondence column I look forward to your comments on the material
presented. Your criticisms and suggestions will be most welcome at my personal e-mail
address.