Editorial

Abstract

So the brief ‘respite’ of summer is over, and we find ourselves plunging, once more towards the abyss of winter bed pressures. Hopefully those of you working at the coalface will find time to browse through the following pages. The production of a third issue in this ‘shortened’ year, following the launch of the Journal in July, is a credit to the hard work of the editorial and publishing teams. I am, as ever, grateful for their support. Next year will see a return to the planned 4-monthly cycle, with issues anticipated in March, July and November. One casualty of the tight schedule has been a minor adjustment to the cycle of reviews – COPD will now appear next Spring. In its place we have included an interesting paper reviewing the management of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome and Serotonin Syndrome, submitted by Consultant Psychiatrist David McNamara. Gastrointestinal haemorrhage and atrial fibrillation will be more familiar to readers, while Dr Joanna Girling’s review of the management of medical emergencies in pregnancy is essential reading for any physician working close to a maternity unit. Myasthenia gravis may not be the commonest medical emergency; nonetheless it is important that physicians are able to suspect, diagnose and initiate treatment for this condition. As I mentioned in my last editorial, I am keen to encourage submissions of case reports, audits, and pieces of original research provided they would appeal to a general medical readership. Cases need not be rare conditions, but must contain a clear teaching message for the reader. In future editions case reports will be categorised as ‘Tales of the Unexpected’, and ‘A Case to Remember’ (a memorable case or one with a message that readers should remember in future). The report on page 106 is an example of the latter – an important reminder that a radiological diagnosis of ‘pneumonia’ does not always imply an infective cause. Finally, I would like to thank those of you who have written with feedback following the previous edition of CPD Acute Medicine. We are clearly attempting to appeal to physicians from a broad range of backgrounds, and I hope that all readers find something which appeals to them in the pages which follow. Please feel free to write with your comments on any issue which you would like to share with the editorial team – depending on the response we may consider including a correspondence section in future editions of the journal.