Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Editor's Column, Mary E. Donovan, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

"Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. " Others had learned, "My son, sometimes a cigar is just a good smoke." Like many of our colleagues, we believed that these were Freud's words during a question and answer session after a lecture he gave at Clark University. The words were comforting in a way, giving us a chance to chalk at least some things up to pure coincidence, thus releasing us from relentless unconscious agendas and hidden sexual interpretations.

Editor's Column, Mary E. Donovan, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

With this edition of the Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry I am pleased to welcome Edward Silberman, M.D. as our new Faculty Advisor. Dr. Silberman is the Residency Program Director at Thomas Jefferson University, and he brings a great deal of enthusiasm about resident research, writing and publishing to the Journal. In addition to enthusiasm, he brings his own experience with writing for psychiatric publication with which to advise us, and we welcome his guidance as the Journal begins its twelfth year of publication.

Editor's Column, Mary E. Donovan, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

In this edition of The Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry we say good-bye to Harvey J. Schwartz, M.D., who founded it as a resident education project ten years ago and who has been our Faculty Advisor ever since. Under Dr. Schwartz's mentorship the Journal has grown from a departmental vehicle for residents' writings to a national publication in which residents can be proud to have their work presented. Having become a nation-wide resident education project, sponsored in part by the APA, the Journal serves to meet a need for all psychiatry residents: to learn about writing, editing and publishing.

Editor's Column, Patricia M. Ferrie, M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

As change and reform become more important words in our vocabulary as physicians, I feel reassured that the Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry will continue in its current form. As we developed from an intradepartmental to an international publication we have experienced numerous changes, one of which was the need for funding from outside of Jefferson's residency program.

Editor's Column, Patricia M. Ferrie, M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

As the editor of the Journal I find it challenging to oversee publication in many different areas of psychiatry. From cognitive therapy to consultation for the treatment of burned children I know, or quickly learn the more intricate details of the field. In compiling this issue, I was particularly struck by the number of articles focusing on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, an area of our field to which I have had limited exposure in my first two years of training.

Editor's Column, Edward Kim, M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

As a senior medical student applying to residency programs, I became acquainted with the term "eclecticism." Many programs described themselves as "eclectic"; it appealed to the progressive, pluralistic spirit in all of us. Yet it implied, erroneously I believe, that limiting the foci of psychiatric resident education was neither necessary nor desirable. The regressive appeal of eclecticism lies in the denial that all true commitments entail some relinquishment of other possibilities; the pleasures of socialization are bought through the renunciation of defecating or urinating at the slightest urge. The hypothetical eclectic psychiatrist has given up none of his or her …

Editor's Column, Edward Kim, M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

He sat on the other side of the large government-issue desk, a bland, a pathetic expression on his face. His vague, contradictory story of visual and auditory hallucinations was punctuated by frequent pauses and "you know,"as if he were expecting me to help him fabricate his symptoms. He himself didn't seem to be trying very hard to convince me of his alleged distress. It would have been simple to admit him; the paperwork was minimal, and there were plenty of beds. I mentioned my skepticism of his history as I told him why I wouldn't admit him. The ensuing flood …

Editor's Column, Edward Kim, M.D.

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

This issue of the Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry impressively reflects current trends in the American Psychiatric Association. Past President Herb Pardes took as his theme "The Research Alliance: Road to Clinical Excellence." Current President Elissa Benedek has adopted the theme "Our Children, Our Future" for the 1991 annual meeting. Adjusting to the responsibilities of chief editorship (under the watchful eye of my predecessor, Dr. Trefzger), I am impressed by the evolution of the Journal and the manuscripts submitted for review.

Editor's Column, Elizabeth Trefzger, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

In selecting articles for, and preparing this latest issue of the Jefferson Journal, I am impressed by the ongoing trend towards refinement that is present in the submissions which we receive. This has been both encouraging and exciting for everyone concerned with the production of the Journal. Much as any other piece of scientific literature, the value of criticism in the production of the work cannot be forgotten . While reflecting on the need for refined and worthwhile criticism I have been reminded of the value of criticism in education. It is through criticism, our own self evaluation, and that …

Editor's Column, Elizabeth Trefzger, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

On my recent holiday I noted an interesting pattern. The island I visited was frequented by many different people from a variety of nations. The island itself had a history of being uninhabited and hence its present natives were rather modern in thought. The native language was English but of course it was spoken quite differently from English as we speak it. This was no surprise.

Editor's Column, Elizabeth Trefzger, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

At the recent American Psychiatric Association meeting in San Francisco I found myself enjoying the strain of walking the hills. The trolley car lines were too long; I assured myself. .. I didn't have time to wait. This of course served another purpose. It gave me an opportunity to reflect on my thoughts. Enjoying a brisk walk while contemplating various philosophical issues is a luxury which I rarely find time for, my schedule being far too busy.

Editor's Column, Gregory B. Sullivan, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

In selecting, or as now in introducing the table of contents of each new issue of the Jefferson Journal, or in response to some occasional question as to the orientation of the Journal, the ghostly concept of eclecticism reappears. In choosing a residency training program in psychiatry, the nascent resident of the 1980's was usually met with a chorus of "eclectic" brochures and training directors, each describing their own version of this ideal. Having comfortably accepted this pleasingly vague and democratic ideal, it was disconcerting to hear my own training director, Dr. Harvey Schwartz, challenge this descriptive term. He …

Editor's Column, Gregory B. Sullivan, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

An exhibition of paintings of the American Old West caught my attention one afternoon, after I had wandered across the street from our affiliate V.A. outpatient clinic to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. A popular theme among these romanticized views of the American frontier was the image of the trapper; alone, silent figure working at the nation's interface with the unknown. Several paintings depicted a custom known as the rendez-vous, a semi-annual occurrence wherein the trappers gathered eastward to river outposts in order to socialize, trade information and hand-made maps, restock supplies, and display for sale the …

Editor's Column, Gregory B. Sullivan, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

As the Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry continues in its early growth phase, having accomplished a successful synthesis to become a national publication, we note its own apparent power of accommodation equal to the strain of fusing and adjusting internal and external changes.

Psychiatric residency in itself demands such accommodation. A group of finishing second year residents were taking stock of the fir st half of this process: They noted the difficulty in reconciling their initial conceptions and intentions with the subsequent realization of the limits to knowledge or intervention; they called this disillusionment. Others spoke of a converse strengthening …

Editor's Column, Jeffrey R. Sarnoff, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

As this issue of the Journal goes to press, it seems apt to reflect upon several years of editorship. An esteemed colleague, Gregory B. Sullivan , M.D .,is in the process of taking over the responsibilities of Chief Editor; the Journal is in able hands as I move on to other endeavors.

Since its inception nearly five years ago, th e Journal has flourished , riding out occasional rough weather in its course from a local to a national publication. Many residents and faculty members have worked with spirit and diligence to foster its growth ; I am thankful for …

Editor's Column, Jeffrey R. Sarnoff, Md

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

The Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry (JJP) seeks to enhance the scope and quality of post-graduate training in psychiatry, by providing a forum in which residents can publish a wide variety of scientific communications.

Editor's Column, John Matt Dorn, Md, Chief Editor

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

The last few months of my residency have been a strange time for me. Half-way out the door and half-way in, I find myself simultaneously saying hello and good-bye. This in itself is not unusual. There are many situations in life that arouse varying degrees of separation and stranger anxiety. Perhaps this time is unique because it marks, at least superficially, the end of a prolonged adolescence. Or, as a friend of mine who is also finishing his professional training wrote to me recently: "Good students that we have been, we face a sudden decline in the steady flow of …

Editor's Column, John Matt Dorn, Md, Chief Editor

Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry

Recently, an editor of The Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry remarked to me his regret that we don' t publish more original material. By this, I think he meant that the articles we publish do not break new ground, but tend to be compilations of existing ideas and beliefs. I think that he is right about this, and for a while I was disillusioned. On reflection, however, I think there may be some value in our project.