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Editor's Page
The ever-increasing number of manuscripts sent to the Editor for possible publication, and the inevitable high rejection ratehave made this message necessary. In addition, the backlog of accepted articles has nowbecome so great that the lag between acceptance and publication is much too long.And, incidentally, both of these problemscreate not only dilemmas but too manyenemies.
It is the Editor's conviction that perhapsa re-definition of the goals of the Academyand of its journal is required, despite the factthat these are stated quite clearly on the frontcover of each issue. We are in existence "toexplore the role of psychiatry in the dailypractice of comprehensive medicine." Thisproduces wide latitude, to be sure, but we cannot continue to accept articles which are"purely psychiatric", which should be published in journals whose goals and readers probably differ from those of PSYCHOSOMATICS.However, the backlog of those already accepted will delay fruition of these hopes formany months.
Manuscripts should relate to "clinicalpractice" rather than to "pure research" asmuch as possible. And clinical practice shouldinclude family practice of medicine, the practice of dentistry, as well as the many variedspecialties, inclusive of psychiatry. The Editoris well aware that some psychiatrists do notconsider psychiatry to be really a part ofmedicine, and have apparently relegated theirearly medical training into the depths of theirunconscious mind. Angry protests will unquestionably result. Those that are publishable might be published, but I doubt if spacewill permit the luxury of angry ventilation.
Many readers have often written or statedthat most of our published articles are written by psychiatrists and rarely from other
sources. This is not only true but inevitablesince too many physicians and others whoare not psychiatrists have neither time, training nor temperament to tangle with the emotional problems of their patients. This is especially when there is definitive somatic illness,and strikes at the very roots of our problem.It explains the steadily increasing need formore and more psychiatrists and is the raisond'etre for both the Academy and the journal.The many psychiatrists who feel that otherphysicians can and must provide help for patients with emotional problems must continueto contribute manuscripts. They will findPSYCHOSOMATICS will continue to be most receptive to their efforts.
W.D.
* ., *
Edwin McH. DunlopDr. Edwin McH. Dunlop of Attleboro,
Mass., a Past-President of the Academy, aswell as its Executive Secretary for manyyears, died suddenly in Cornwall, England onDecember 27, 1971. This truly came as ashock to his many, many friends and colleagues. Death is difficult enough to accept,but this is especially so when one recalls thevital brilliance of this truly gifted individual.Ed was not merely an excellent psychiatrist;he was a dedicated physician, an excellentteacher as well as researcher. His sense ofhumor made him the obvious choice as toastmaster at the annual banquet, and his lecturesnever failed to include a few well chosenstories to illustrate difficult clinical problems.
The Academy, its journal (he was an Associate Editor), its Editorial Board, and aboveall the Editor, mourn his loss and hope thathis wife Betty and his children will take somesolace in that we share their grief.
W.D.
ThJ..s One
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