A letter from the president

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Colleague, It is a pleasure to introduce the first edition of the Australasian Journal of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery. The society was formed in October 1990 after the Inter General Scientific Meeting of the RACS in Surfer’s Paradise. A report of the meeting is included in this Journal. A broadly based draft Constitution was discussed and generally accepted. On balance, it was believed that such a Constitution would provide the Society with credibility and flexibility by integrating both scientific and professional needs of cardiothoracic surgeons. The membership is for surgeons whose practice is in the field of cardiothoracic surgery who are Fellows of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons or for surgeons with equivalent overseas qualifications. Provision has been made for cardiothoracic surgeons in training as Associate Members. An input from retired cardiothoracic surgeons is encouraged by the inclusion of the category of Senior Membership. Honorary Membership is intended for distinguished surgeons. Inter-relationship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is essential and joint meetings are desirable. The provision of a position on the executive for the Chairman of the Cardiothoracic Board of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons or his nominee is designed to coordinate the functions of both organisations. Good communication between members is the basis for any successful society. The Council and Executive have been chosen to represent all states and territories of Australia and New Zealand. It is envisaged that most business will be directed through the State Representative to the Executive, which is responsible to the Council, which represents all members of the Society. Publication of The Australasian Journal of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery is a milestone in the evolution of the Society. The Journal will be used to advise members of important developments in cardiac and thoracic surgery with selected reviews on major topics. It is intended that the Journal be used for the publication of scientific articles of special interest to surgeons of the Asian Pacific area. Dates and locations of local and overseas meetings will be communicated. I look forward to your support and would welcome any advice about the future directions the Society should take. Brian Buxton

President

EDITORIAL Publishing a new specialist journal serving specifically the needs of Australasian cardiothoracic surgeons presents many challenges: challenges for the editorial staff to produce copy of such a standard that the Society for which this journal acts as the voice, will achieve acceptance among the International bodies representing cardiothoracic surgeons. Challenges also exist for contributors-the quality of the journal directly reflects the merit of contributors. This is your journal, only you can establish its standards by contributions

of scientific, medicopolitical

or legal value.

The initial policy of the journal will be to present a cross-section of papers relating to the practice of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. An invitation is extended for you to provide scientific contributions, descriptions of scientific technique or surgical experiences of general interest. Issues of medicolegal and political importance in cardiovascular and thoracic practice will be canvassed. Surgeons are facing increasing accountability in the practice of cardiothoracic surgery as relative value based scales of remuneration are reviewed by health economists and third party insurers. Our preparedness to justify fee structures will need thoughtful cooperation from all members of our speciality with the creation of realistic tables that are credible to the managers of the increasingly limited national health care dollar. The high public profile of cardiothoracic surgery and some of its practitioners requires a high standard of professionalism and unity in our presentations to governments and the media as we pursue more equitable rebates to patients for our services. As detailed in the Presidential letter, a major function of your Society is a political one and a forum for commentary by members is available through the pages of your journal. Alan Gale

Editor 5