Editorial
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Quentin Rae-Grant, MD, ChB, FRCPsych, FRCPC
As 2003 draws to a close, the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry prepares to enter a new era. As in most areas of our lives, there are endings and new beginnings. My time as Editor-in-Chief ends in the next 2 years, and I look back on my tenure with great pride. It has been an exciting and challenging time for both the Editorial Board and staff.
The last 2 years have seen great changes. The look of the Journal was redesigned and has proven very popular. Most significantly, the new format of the journal has incorporated a unique image for each cover, and we have used artwork from mental health patients for some. Our goal of also using art from psychiatrists is still under development. Further, we added a July issue this year and will take the Journal to 12 issues per year with our inaugural January issue in 2004.
Please join me in congratulating Dr Joel Paris, who has been selected as the Editor-in-Chief designate of the Journal. Dr Paris has served faithfully as an Editorial Board member of the Journal for the past 15 years and as a Deputy Editor since 1998. He and I will work together to the end of my tenure, and I am confident he will provide leadership to move the Journal forward. In the current climate of change in the publishing field, there will be many areas in need of exploring to keep the Journal evolving with the times.
The Journal has had the privilege of publishing the Table of Contents of the British Journal of Psychiatry for the past year. I thank the staff and Editorial Board of the BJP for their cooperation in this endeavour. Because of requests by other journals to initiate similar reciprocal publishing agreements, the BJP unfortunately has chosen to terminate the agreement with the Journal rather than try to accommodate all the other requests. As this arrangement ends, we will be implementing a similar agreement with the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, which will begin in 2004. We look forward to this collaboration and the opportunity to reach our colleagues in the Southern Hemisphere.
There are still many challenges that face the Journal, and I look forward to continuing to play a role in its evolution in the coming years. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and wish Dr Paris success as he takes over the helm. If you will tolerate a metaphor from an avid sailor, a good ship will carry you through even when the seas are stormy. The Journal is such a ship, and Dr Paris will do a fine job at the helm.
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