We will not now say much about the past because enough has been said in the Editorial entitled “Looking back to the Future” in the July 2018 issue of MJCMP, which is the last published in the old format by the previous Editorial Board which has honorably resigned en-bloc in order to make way for the new.
The Present is, as everyone knows, a time of rapid and unprecedented changes for the better in all spheres of life in Myanmar – including Medicine; and therefore this Journal, the MJCMP, will have to and will certainly also change to better reflect the steps being taken in medical services, medical education and medical research, both in the public and private domain.
One aspect of the change will be our greater orientation to the periphery, more encouragement of participation and interchange of professional experience between medical practitioners separated by distance and time; and our greater emphasis on reaching the hitherto un-accessible members of the medical profession.This is manifested by the initiative we have taken to appoint Regional Editors,firstly at State and Division level who will help the Editorial Board reach out to readers, and contact and obtain contributions from those who may desire or may be persuaded to share their knowledge and experience at grass root levels with our readers.We intend to extend and expand the appointment of Regional Editors to more States and Divisions as well as to medical professionals grouped indifferent ways such as the Universities of Medicine, Teaching Hospitals, the Myanmar Medical Associationand its specialty sections in Yangon and its branches elsewhere.
In addition to the usual Contents, the Journal will be opening new sections such as selected Abstracts of completed Theses and Dissertations of the Universities of Medicine with comments; Reflections; Views and Comments; Reminiscences of Oldies; and others.
The Present is also a time of accelerating advances in medical science, medical technologies and other relevant fields of science. The Journal will endeavor to bring to the notice of our readers Innovative ideas and activities taking place at the fringes of Medical Science, and at the intersection of medical science and other sciences as well as the Arts worldwide, so that Myanmar will not lag behind inexploiting such knowledge and be able to pursue appropriate innovative activities that would improve the health of the people and medical science.
Regarding the Future, much depends upon the pace and level of socio-economic development in the country and the relevant practice of Medicine. It is very likely that TeleMedicine will enter Myanmar sooner rather than later, in emulation of neighboring countries like Thailand, India and China which has already started utilization. Its use will certainly be promoted and supported by foreign aid agencies. It will be increasingly in demand and used by patients and families, especially for medical and health care at primary and secondary level and even at tertiary level between medical professionals.
TeleEducation will be a major supplementary strategy used by Universities of Medicine in Myanmar and other institutions of higher learning to impart knowledge and instill habits of critical thinking. Even now, around a third of graduate education in USA is on line.Further opportunities beckon outside USA. In the autumn of 2019, University College, London will launch an online MBA and London’s Imperial College will offer an online Public Health Masters.So, the Contents and format of the MJCMP may have to adapt accordingly. In the near future, an E- journal may have to be published alongside the paper copy and may have to be started experimentally even now. MJCMP may also have to make better use of Information Technology to be more effective and efficient in carrying out its functions.
In future, through adoption of appropriate Editorial policy and through the voice of its contributors, MJCMP may have to be more active in advocating changes for progress in the medical profession. The Editorial Board certainly and most probably some of our distinguished, discerning and responsible contributors too, will express our appreciation of the successful and timely efforts made to improve; and also point out those that we think are inappropriateand where we think there is inertia and the response is tardy or where there is lack of sufficient support and minimal resources to affect change.
We urge our readers to give comments, make suggestions and help us help you.
