Abstract
In May 1610 one of the greatest painters of the seventeenth century was on the run and facing his destiny having killed a man in Rome 4 years earlier. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610) was fleeing and working on what was to be his last painting, The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula. He died just 2 months after completing the painting, now on show at the National Gallery over 400 years later. Seeing this painting tomorrow will offer some respite for those of us on the run from a football tournament and talk of the impending election, twin destinies that will have been decided by the time you read this.
This month InnovAiT has been compressed into a bi-monthly version of the journal as an adjustment to the timely arrival of article submissions. We rely on the good efforts of our authors, many working under pressure in general practice and hospital posts. We are embarking on a review to enhance our output of articles and the presentation of the journal. We want the journal to be easily accessible and to encourage the submission of more articles offering help for those learning general practice and taking exams, as well as for established GPs with everyday general practice. Our destiny, according to the election, was in the hands of the electorate. Football destiny depended on the feet of footballers, with some help from their brains and the tactics of manager Gareth Southgate. Political and football destinies may have been determined, but the journal and general practice need your input. We are keen to receive articles that will inform and inspire colleagues, in a small way, to improve the destiny of general practice and in a big way to shape the journal.
In this first bi-monthly issue we have a varied range of articles. Haider Ali provides a useful review of blepharitis and tear duct problems, conditions that are common and very troublesome to patients. Good explanation is needed when offering advice after accurate diagnosis. Khalid Mohammed gives an overview of blistering skin conditions. These can range in severity but have some features in common. Bleeding in early pregnancy will often present in general practice and patients will of course be anxious. Khalid Alloush offers help with diagnostic considerations and management guidance. Sythra Razaq and Shazad Amin consider the presentation of psychotic depression. Patients with psychotic depression present less often in general practice than other forms of depression, but this article describes diagnostic features and aspects of management important for GPs to consider. Michael Bryant looks at bronchiectasis and how patients present to general practice. Recognition of the problem, treatment and appropriate referral can greatly improve patients’ quality of life. Samuel Ilori looks at the important work of International Medical Graduates in general practice and considers the real value of their contribution to the NHS, the health of communities and wider society. What is your experience of this? How can practices help new registrars when starting in general practice?
The destiny of general practice will be shaped more by politics than football. With the results in for football and for politics, what lies in store for general practice? We try to offer education and inspiration for those shaping the future of general practice and we are grateful for the ongoing support of the reviewers and authors responsible for our journal content. If you have thoughts on how to improve access to the journal, then please share them with us.
The election result was predicted and much anticipated. The football result was less certain, and some will still be suffering from the disappointment of defeat. Caravaggio could not have predicted the glory of his success centuries after escaping from a dungeon in Malta. I hope you can celebrate publication in InnovAiT, a glorious destiny for you with submission in the usual way of your articles, short or feature length at https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/innovait.
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