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EDITORIAL
It’s time to call it a day …
A line from one of my favourite songs ‘The Party’s
Over’ and it has been a kind of party, editing IJCP
since 1991. In 1990, I was taken out to lunch and
asked if I would take on editing IJCP, which was
moribund. If I did not agree, it would close down –I was its last chance and I was only being asked
because of my editing ‘Cardiology in Practice’, which
had been a successful venture. Lunch proceeded
slowly at the highly acclaimed restaurant, and every
question asked about the journal (then, the British
Journal of Clinical Practice) revealed the desperate
state of the publication. Finally, I agreed and was
given 2 years to ‘turn it around’, with no computers
then and a painfully limited budget. The next day I
regretted the shell fish and hoped it was not a sign
of the degree of struggle ahead.
Along the journey to the present day, we changed
to the International Journal, redesigned the layout
and cover and developed the editorial board. The
ever important Impact Factor improved without
resorting to deliberate self citation. The journal
became both profitable (degree unbeknown to me)
and academically recognised, and my variable per-
sonal editorials received regular positive feedback
encouraging me to continue. The takeover by Black-
well/Wiley took place without my knowledge and the
men in suits whom I had met for lunch, the now
previous owners, walked away with millions of
pounds for minimal investment and no contributions
over the years. I still reflect on their lack of courtesy
in not informing me – I know it is business, but good
manners come free. The takeover included me (rather
like pass the parcel) and Wiley have been exemplary.
Since the takeover, the journal has grown in qual-
ity of submissions and Impact Factor (in a very
tough league). The computerisation transformed the
workload and section editors eased the strain of
being single handed in organising reviewers and
deciding on acceptance or not. Twenty-two years is a
long time editing a journal (medical or not) and
writing an editorial for each issue (some much better
than others). There are a lot of people whose help I
am grateful for – my secretary Helen who has been
with me for over 25 years, my research secretary
Charmian who types my editorials and papers, all
the people at Wiley (especially Chris Graf), the con-
tributors for their ever increasing quality of submis-
sions, and the many readers who have been
complimentary about my editorials (well, most of
the time) and the journal content.
The future holds new challenges and after a period
of thinking things through I am sure, the writing will
begin again. For now, it is time to welcome Les
Citrome as the new Editor-in-Chief after a very suc-
cessful period as Associate Editor and to wish him
well. How to finish my last editorial? Well, as my
train pulled into London Bridge Station, the conduc-
tor announced ‘our final destination, all change, all
change’.
Yes – all change.
Disclosure
None.
G. JacksonEditor
Email: [email protected]
doi: 10.1111/ijcp.12209
ED ITORIAL
All at sea: new lipid-lowering drug trials continue todisappoint
It is the end of the year and the traditional time to
look back at developments and to try and assess their
significance. From my house, I currently gaze out
over a sea of water because of the flooding around
All Change
ª 2013 John Wiley & Sons LtdInt J Clin Pract, July 2013, 67, 7, 595–602 595