A new journal for postgraduate education, continuing medical education and clinical practice

The Bulletin of the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization is a publication that is produced under the auspices of the Ministry of Health of the State of Kuwait. The Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization, the Ministry’s postgraduate education, training and research arm handles the editorial and production tasks associated with it.

The journal aims to promote excellence in postgraduate education, continuing medical education (CME) and clinical practice in Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf region. It is the first of its kind in the region dealing primarily with medical education and CME. Subject matter of special interest to the medical community in the region would receive emphasis when content is being considered to be included in the journal. An added feature that would be of interest is the series of articles specifically designated as CME. Studying them and responding to the related questions would allow the reader to acquire CME credits through the CME Program of KIMS. A readership comprising clinicians, teachers and trainees in postgraduate training programs, practitioners engaged in formal CME activities, and administrators of health care facilities would find the publication useful. I also take this opportunity to invite medical practitioners and those responsible for postgraduate medical education to submit manuscripts or other pertinent material for publication in the journal.

In today’s world, the electronic media have taken over many of the traditional tasks connected with the dissemination of information. However, we feel that the printed journal still has a useful role to play: it could effectively share these functions in some settings, and continue as the sole purveyor in others. I envisage that, with the passage of time, the relative importance of these two aspects would change, and that we would pay greater emphasis to the electronic format than at present.

The appearance of a new journal in the scientific and academic arena is an event of major significance. A publication such as this in medicine and the related disciplines widens the opportunities open for health professionals to share their knowledge and experience. It also involves the editorial and production team undertaking new and additional responsibilities. I am confident that those who conceived and gave birth to Bulletin of KIMS have the strength and determination to nurture it in its infancy and ensure that it grows into healthy adulthood.

We welcome readers’ comments. Such feedback would help us to redirect our paths so that we achieve the overall goals and to continue to offer a service that benefits you in furthering your practice. Please send your views and suggestions to Editor, Bulletin of KIMS, 9th Floor, Behbehani Complex, Al-Sharq, P.O. Box 35365 Shaab, Kuwait 36054, Fax: 965 2467140, or through Contact Us in our web site <http://www.kims.org.kw> by email.

Mohammed A. Al-Jarallah, FRCS, FACS
Editor-in-Chief
Ex Minister of Health

(This editorial appeared in the first issue of Bulletin of the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization, which was released in April 2002.)