Editor’s Welcome Dr Robert J. Ellis MD, PhD Editor-in-Chief, AMSJ
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elcome to Volume 10, Issue 1 of the Australian Medical Student Journal (AMSJ). Since 2010, our journal has served as a platform for medical students to showcase their research, discuss perspectives in medicine, and apply knowledge acquired through their study and clinical work to identifying and tackling some of the challenges faced by medical professionals and students. In this issue of the AMSJ, we had the privilege of publishing a broad selection of articles submitted by medical students and junior doctors, covering topics from the management of severe asthma with intravenous magnesium, to the role of green tea in the management of acne. We were also fortunate enough to hear from two guest authors in this issue. Dr Dinesh Palipana, Queensland’s first quadriplegic medical intern, provides us with a unique insight into the personal challenges he has faced traversing medical school and employment, and discusses his thoughts on inclusivity in the medical profession. A/Prof Stuart Lane also returns with his third article in a series on professional development, this time elaborating on the importance of reflective practice in learning. Over the last 12 months, the AMSJ has taken a number of important steps forwards. I am excited to announce that, for the first time, we have been able to publish articles online ahead of print, vastly reducing the time from submission to publication, and hopefully improving the author experience, as well as expediting access to our content. I also have the pleasure of advising that in July 2019 the AMSJ hosted its second annual research symposium at the Translational Research Institute in Brisbane, where we heard from a number of excellent speakers about the role of research across a variety of professional and training pathways in medicine. As the AMSJ continues to grow and develop as an organisation, there is always a need for enthusiastic volunteers. I would like to take this opportunity to say that if you have an interest in medical research, would like to get a bit of experience in writing or editing, or simply would like a chance to be part of a national organisation of medical students, the AMSJ would love for you to be part of the team. There are so many people and organisations who have made this issue possible that are deserving of thanks. First, I would like to express my gratitude to all the authors for their high-quality submissions, which I am confident our readers will enjoy perusing. I also unreservedly thank the many peer reviewers who dedicated a substantial amount of their time to providing comments on all our submissions. I also thank our sponsors, who have provided us with the financial support needed to produce this publication, along with assisting with operational costs. Finally, I would like to show my appreciation for the wonderful AMSJ team, all of whom volunteer innumerable hours to the development of this journal; your dedication assists in allowing Australian medical students to continue having a voice in the national and global conversation of academic medicine. To our readers, I hope that you enjoy this issue of the AMSJ. We are always on the lookout for submissions, and if you would like to contribute an article, I would encourage you visit our website: www. amsj.org. Correspondence: r.ellis@amsj.org
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Australian Medical Student Journal
