I am delighted to present the last issue of the year 2021 which is also my last as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal. Incidentally, this is also the culmination of its 50th anniversary year. Over the last 3.5 years, we published 14 issues and a Public Health supplement of the Journal. Each of them was very well received and provided impetus for us to work harder for the Journal’s growth. I am especially pleased that the all-round changes effected by us to the Journal in these years has generated countless positive feedbacks and appreciation from the readers across the globe. Our footprint has widened over this time (please see figure 1 below) with authors and reviewers now representing many more countries and wider recognition from outwith the College. Though there has been sustained improvement in several areas, there remain critical lacunae which may potentially hamper the further progress of the Journal (please see Table 1 on page 6 of the March 2021 issue) and therefore require due attention.
Figure 1 Author and reviewer countries (2018–21)
I am grateful to the College for the opportunity to lead the Journal. My sincere thanks to Professor Derek Bell, past president of the College for his tremendous support to the Journal over the years.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our peer reviewers for their voluntary provision of time and efforts in assessing an ever increasing number of manuscripts submitted to the Journal. A full list of reviewers from the year 2021 can be found on page 422.
I would also like to thank the Fellows and Members of our College for their support to the Journal as authors and taking part in promoting the Journal.
My heartfelt appreciation to our editorial assistant, Mr Russell Davidson for his efficient handing of all aspects of the Journal and to the members of the editorial board and the international advisory network for their massive inputs over the years. I am sure that you have enjoyed great covers of the Journal designed by Mr Colin Reekie as much as I have and my special thanks to him.
I wish you all season’s greetings and the best of 2022.
We welcome feedback or suggestions regarding any aspect of JRCPE by email to drvinod12@gmail.com, or to the editorial team at editorial@rcpe.ac.uk.
Vinod Ravindran
Editor-In-Chief
Editorial office, JRCPE
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
11 Queen Street
Edinburgh EH2 1JQ
UK
