An exciting new chapter for the Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine

Abstract

It is with great optimism that I step into the role as Editor-in-Chief with Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine. Much progress has been made since inception of the journal over three decades ago, most recently marked by new partnerships with the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and Cambridge University Press. This is a crucial time for the journal to sustain and build on progress made to date. The journal will continue with the previous tradition of publishing high-quality original research, and will disseminate this research to an audience with the aim of improving mental health for all. I would like to express a huge gratitude to the outgoing Editor from all involved in the journal for the steadfast work throughout his tenure, and I look forward with enthusiasm to taking further steps of progress in this role.

Enthusiastic research

The famous historian and novelist, Charles Kingsley (1819–1875) once quoted:

We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about (Hector, 2010).

Although perhaps the quote does not represent an absolute truth, it brings to mind an important concept. Enthusiasm for research endeavours may have the potential to benefit our happiness and well-being beyond the mere joys of getting published in peer reviewed journals. Furthermore, it is with this enthusiasm that I commence my role as Editor-in-Chief for the Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine.

Progress of the Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine for over three decades

The Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine has published Irish and international research since 1982, during which time it has advanced to become a journal which publishes high-quality research at the cutting edge of psychological medicine (Kelly, 2016). Founding Editor, Dr Mark Hartman demonstrated enormous vision to instigate the journal, and develop the journal’s influence and circulation. His successor Professor Brian Lawlor continued this trend as the journal went from strength to strength with increase in it’s national and international recognition, and the introduction of a website with full-text access to recent issues (Kelly, 2010).

The journal has progressed significantly further under the subsequent guidance of Professor Brendan Kelly who has worked tirelessly to advance the journal needs. In 2012, Professor Kelly oversaw the amalgamation of the journal with the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, the principle professional body for psychiatrists in Ireland. The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland play an essential role in training psychiatrists in Ireland, an important part of which is the promotion of mental health research.

The addition of Cambridge University Press has been another leap forward for the journal. Cambridge University Press is the oldest publishing house in the world, and the second largest University Press in the world. Cambridge boasts a track record of publications from 60 Nobel laureates and has published with authors such Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking. Partnership of the journal with Cambridge University Press has increased journal usage and distribution, and improved efficiency for the submission and peer review process.

Other recent advances include the introduction of altmetrics, a concept which provides a more instant measure of the impact of papers than citations alone, by tracking discussion on social media sites, government policy documents and other sources. Some of the less obvious work conducted by Professor Kelly has included the improvement of the journal for further indexing applications, and the development of the journal into a modern international journal. The benefits of Professor Kelly’s work may well be felt even more in the coming years, and the journal wishes to thank him for his unflagging input.

The next chapter…

The Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine is at a critical juncture in it’s development and must sustain the progress made to date. The journal now has the scope to develop into a top international journal and the editorial board are committed to ensuring this progress. Ireland has for many years produced some of the finest academics in global psychiatry, and it is to be hoped that this trend will continue.

This is an exciting time to be involved in psychiatric research in general. Although our understanding of human biology, emotion and behaviour continues to progress, it is acknowledged that there is a major gap between research and it’s clinical application (van der Feltz-Cornelis et al. 2014). This translation of research into clinical practice is an area that must be addressed through ongoing research collaboration.

The Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine will continue to publish high-quality original research, which will be supplemented by editorials, review papers, case reports and book reviews. A key objective of the journal is to inform mental health-care decisions that will improve the quality of mental health care to all, and the publications of the journal will reflect this. The journal also has a strong publishing record on coercion and mental health legislation, the history of psychiatry, youth mental health and on papers debating key contemporary issues in psychiatry. The journal will continue with these traditions while encouraging other research contributions. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine will also continue to publish themed issues focussing on important topics that can provide a platform for stimulating debate and improvement in health-care delivery for individuals with mental illness.

As the official journal of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, the journal has a unique platform to build from, in both an Irish and an international context. The journal will work with membership of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, while our international vision will also contribute quality scientific contributions to the international research community. Several international academics have joined the editorial board in recent times and their input is hugely important to sustaining the high quality of publications for international readership into the future. The Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine is also committed to supporting early career research and offers the John Dunne medal for the best research published by a trainee from Ireland or the United Kingdom on an annual basis.

Other key areas for journal development include further improvements to the journals online presence in order to make journal contents as accessible as possible for all. We are planning for all College of Psychiatrists of Ireland members to receive electronic table of content alert emails along with instant access to the full text of articles. We also aim to increase uptake of open access publications in order to make scientific contributions as accessible as possible to the international research community.

As research plays a crucial role for psychiatrists during their training and beyond, the Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine will provide a vehicle for ensuring that knowledge gained from such endeavour makes a difference. Perhaps enthusiasm for such endeavour can bestow other benefit to our well-being too.

It is an honour to take on the role of Editor-in-Chief for Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine and I will endeavour to continue the outstanding work of Professor Kelly and his predecessors while leading the journal into the future. I hope the journal will continue to disseminate knowledge that will improve mental health for all.