MEDICAL IMAGE- MAGAZINE OF IMA

From,

Dr Vani Kulhalli,

Psychiatrist,

Life Member,

IMA BWS Branch,

Mumbai.

To,

President and Editor,

Medical Image,

IMA,

Mumbai.

Subject- Consider converting Medical Image to e-magazine

Date-27-9-2012

Dear Sir,

I am a member of the Editorial committee and have noticed that we spend a lot of money in printing and distributing the MEDICAL IMAGE every month. This puts us at a disadvantage as we have to solicit advertisements and have to restrict the number of articles published. We may lose out on good quality articles. I also feel that we have developed a bias towards publishing articles from persons who are able to arrange for sponsorships. In other words, persons who have the resources to fund our magazine have developed the power to control editorial decisions. This is unacceptable standard of conduct for an august association as ours.

 Besides, we must consider the environmental impact of using so much paper, ink, plastic packaging and fuel for transport of copies. Therefore, I suggest that we must do away with the paper version of ‘Medical Image’ and send our members the electronic version only.

The argument of ‘not having time to access internet’ or ‘not being able to deal with new technology’ is no longer tenable. All our members use the latest mobile phones and learn to drive the  latest models of cars. Most habitually use Facebook and web albums as well as Skype to keep in touch with their children and friends. Then why the bias against learning the technology required for reading an e-magazine?

I think that we must waste no further time in converting our magazine into its electronic version only.  Kindly, consider this decision.

Note that I am sending a copy to some members, who are not in our Editorial committee but who are significant opinion-makers of our organisation.

Sincerely,

Dr Vani Kulhalli

CAREER PLANNING FOR YOUNG PSYCHIATRISTS- CONTACT IPS

After several years of complaining to all the high and mighty about the dearth of mentoring opportunities for young Psychiatrist, I was completely thrilled that Dr Vishal Reddy took up this task and formulated a CME based on it. I heartily congratulate Vishal and the other Editors on bringing out this book.

This book is a collection of the material presented in the CME. I think the cover is quite apt, and the 'wings' look really nice. Does the orange-yellow colour scheme suggest 'burning ambition to succeed'? Also the the teasing statement 'what you dont learn at college' is very apppropriate. The book is 170 pages and enables reading in one day.  The initial write-ups provide with an adequate and appropriate introduction.  

Most of the chapters are on careers in specialty psychiatry. The Chapters titled ‘Mastering the Art of Private Practice’, ‘Balancing academics with practice of psychiatry’, ‘Beyond Money!’ are very good and practically helpful. The chapter ‘Gender issues’ seems to have missed the point.  Overall, the book succeeds in providing guidance to young psychiatrists on important matters. 

I hope this will only be the first edition, and the beginning of an initiative which grows larger. Psychiatry is among the best professions and provides a most needed service to the community. By providing directions to the new crop of Psychiatrists and helping them survive, Psychiatry will survive.

In the next edition, I would expect a survey/ study of the common difficulties faced by young Psychiatrists and the means used to deal with them. I want someone to write honestly and practically about the career prospects and concerns of women Psychiatrists. (For now, I recommend Dr Syyeda Ruksheda’s article, on this topic). I wish we could set up a careers  cell in IPS, which helps psychiatrists find jobs and assignments. I also wish we could have some mentor-groups, who help youngsters settle into their profession.

 I would say, this initiative is not only innovative but also a very noble one. The contributors seem to have honestly shared all things they know, and this is a remarkable feature in the context of competitiveness and somewhat selfish nature of most doctors (I am sorry, but it is true).

I would recommend this book as a useful (not necessary) reading for any young Indian Psychiatrist. I cannot comment on how you can get your hands on a copy; though I have planned to give mine for display in the library of KEM Hospital, Mumbai. I don’t know if the IPS will be making this compilation widely available. At least they could put it on their website.

 

 

PHENOMENOLOGY OF CANNABIS-RELATED PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS.

IMPACT OF HEALTH EDUCATION ABOUT LEPROSY- INTERNSHIP PROJECT