Is Formal Training in Medical Journalism Important?

We are planning to invest in the skills of people working in our journal, and one idea has been to have at least one person with formal academic training (PhD or equivalent) in the field of medical journalism. I wondered: Are most of your journals using people with academic training in medical journalism? Do you know any distant/e-learning programs for such purpose?

Arash Etemadi
Associate Editor, Archives of Iranian Medicine
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This is a commendable aim, but I wonder whether having 'formal academic training' to the level of PhD is the right way to go.

My experience as a trainer and then Council member of the Committee of Publication Ethics (COPE) is that it is the basic level of training that needs to be looked at. I would give precedence to a good system of basic training for all staff—including lists of the basic skills, attitudes and knowledge needed, individual development plans and adequate funding. You might even wish to appoint an associate editor (training) specifically to ensure that the necessary level is being reached.

Tim Albert
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I do not know if I am qualified to speak on behalf of Tim. But I see the question earlier asked as:

1. What are the skills/competencies mix among people working in a journal office?

2. What sort of training is out there or need to be organized for such people (both pre-service or in-service)?

3. Will a formal PhD program be the relevant training one may need? In asking this question, we are consciously avoiding the problem where being in possession of a PhD or any other certificate/diploma is the substitute for competencies. It may well be the case that the person(s) who may better serve the journal may be PhD holders, or they may not.

Adamson Muula
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One, a postgraduate certificate may help, but it is no guarantee that you are getting the right person. What you need primarily is somebody who has a basic degree in an area related to the subject area of the journal with training and experience in journal publishing. What you need to consider are: good editing and editorial management skills, dependable writing skills, ability to communicate properly, and good sense of judgment. Some knowledge of marketing will be good if there is no separate marketing department.
 
A journalist may not do well in journal publishing if he/she does not have experience in journal publishing. Journalism is an aspect of communication that is limited to, but rich in, news reporting. However, the experience in writing and in the publishing of time-bound publications can be helpful.

James Falaiye
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I wonder if just like "department of journalism" in various universities, we may establish "department of medical journalism" where master degree or diploma training may be given to those interested candidates who wish to develop medical journalism as a career. In developing countries, lack of proper training and resources are the main hurdles in getting good editors. Any online course will be of extra benefit to the editors all over the world.

Akhtar Sherin
Executive editor, JPMI
Editor, KUST Med J
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Well, there is the online nonthesis master's degree in biomedical writing offered by the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (in Pennsylvania, USA). You can find program details here:

http://www.gradschool.usp.edu/programs/biomedical_writing/index.shtml

or http://tinyurl.com/5m8kqu

Katharine O'Moore-Klopf
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I suggest that you contact Barbara Gastel, MD, MPH, who, among many things, runs a program in medical journalism (http://medicine.tamhsc.edu/basic-sciences/him/faculty/barbara-gastel.html).

Michael S Altus
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Thanks, Michael, for mentioning our program.  I've been following this discussion with interest, and I was just about to provide some information about the program.

Here at Texas A&M University, we have a master's degree program in science and technology journalism. Information about the program, which I coordinate, is posted at http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/vibs/stjr/index.shtml.

Our program includes students from a variety of countries and at a variety of career stages. A large proportion of the students specialize in medical journalism. The program is highly individualized, with courses and other experiences chosen to suit each student's background and goals. Students planning to work at medical journals can take elective courses in science editing, biomedical reporting, biomedical science (including epidemiology and biostatistics), and other relevant fields. They also can do internships at journals.

Anyone wanting further information about the program should feel free to contact me.

Barbara Gastel