Volume 15 Issue 02 November 2003
Editorial
A year has passed since the Malta Medical Journal returned
In this issue we are also fortunate in having received a
to circulation, undoubtedly an eventful twelve months both for
contribution from Prof Edward de Bono regarding the concept
Malta and for the medical profession. As the ramifications of
of creative thinking. The application of his novel approach to
Malta joining the EU unfold, they will continue to have an
thinking about change and development could possibly yield
impact on our lives as citizens and on our practices as medical
interesting solutions to the problems that plague health care
professionals.
provision in this day and age. However, issues related to
With satisfaction, I note that the number of original articles
healthcare provision are not solely products of modern society.
submitted for publication is on the increase, the data from these
As Dr Giovanni Bonello documents in his excellent and highly
articles contributing to the forum for discussion of problems
readable historical treatise, even the Grandmasters had to resort
relating particularly to the practice of Medicine in Malta.
to extraordinary measures to ensure the ongoing provision of
Articles dealing with educational and management issues have
adequate health care to their subjects at times of war and during
also served to enrich the content of the Malta Medical Journal
epidemics.
and promote further research and development. The
th
forthcoming 5 Maltese Medical School Conference due to be
th
In 1943, Winston Churchill in a keynote address at Harvard
University said “The empires of the future are the empires of the
held between the 4 and 6th of December of this year will
mind”. The expression of thoughts and the translation of these
undoubtedly attest to ongoing efforts in this respect.
thoughts into actions capable of successfully effecting change
It is indeed a pleasure and a privilege to include significant
ensures success in any enterprise. With this in mind, I sincerely
contributions from two prominent family practitioners dealing
thank the Chairman and members of the Editorial board for their
with various aspects of Family Medicine in Malta. The recent
untiring efforts and contributions to the Journal’s development
turn of events in the field of Family Medicine led to two articles
over the past year. I am also indebted to Mr Hilary Caruana of
being submitted to the Journal for publication in response to
Outlook Coop for his expert advice in matters relating to
our original invitation to the President of the Malta College of
publication, and to our sponsors for their generosity. Finally, a
Family Doctors for a paper. I thank both Dr Pierre Mallia and
word of thanks to those who submitted articles for possible
Dr Denis Soler for their invaluable contribution to this issue of
publication in the Journal and to our reviewers for dedicating
the Malta Medical Journal. I trust that these articles will serve
their time and providing invaluable constructive feedback
to foster a constructive dialogue between the College and the
regarding article content to the authors. The synthesis of all these
Academic Department of Family Medicine, to the benefit of
factors into the fabric that constitutes the Malta Medical Journal
Family Medicine in general.
is essential to its continuing existence.
Josanne Vassallo
Editor
Malta Medical Journal Volume 15 Issue 02 November 2003
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