The ‘TJTO&C’ is dead; long live ‘The Transient Journal’

There are calendar years, tax years, academic years and BOA years. This BOA year is drawing to a close. Soon there will be a changing of the guard and an opportunity for new directions. Just as last year there will the hope that this will be the opportunity to express ourselves and in some way shape our professional world and events. What was learnt from this year that is nearing its end was the power of ‘events’ to shape us.

We are moving toward a virtual Congress in an illusory world. In that picture the foreground detail still shows us who were recently cast amongst the NHS heroes with our positions intact, but in the background the structure and financial fabric of the society on which we rely is somewhat faded.  Whilst acknowledging there are difficulties around us we can still have objectives; aiming to re-establish a resilient system to treat our patients now and to maintain the flow of training so that this does not falter in the future.

Whilst the pandemic has hindered and stalled much, it has also led to changes that otherwise may not have occurred. The inception of a Transient Journal of Trauma Orthopaedics and the Coronavirus or TJTO&C being one of those. As was discussed previously it seems appropriate that if this Journal is to continue it should have a new name. An exercise in democracy with the membership deciding was what was intended; a choice between BoaJ, Jottings or some other title beckoned. As you may have noticed democracy has had a bit of a poor run recently and fearing a ‘Boaty McBoatface’ moment or something that might even Trump that, we resurrected editorial prerogative. Deborah Eastwood who takes over the editorial responsibility suggested that we continue with the part of the original name that has become its signature and call it ‘The Transient Journal’. Thus accepting and encouraging that it will focus transiently on a variety of themes according to the needs of the time.

A new title needs a new look. Ad Gandhe had provided the original hammered Coronavirus given the brief for an image allowing for a range of content from the serious to the more light-hearted. To continue an on-line presence the brief was amended that a logo should suit the title ‘The Transient Journal’ but should also give the impression of being ‘professional and approachable’. I feel the brief was admirably fulfilled by Ad.

A new appearance is nothing without appropriate content. On cue the article by Keith Tucker and Peter Kay commenting on the Cumberlege report arrived in the inbox. A quick Google search will reassure and impress as to how well placed these authors are to comment on the subject which is likely to affect our practice for years to come. The article is a forerunner of a further discussion by the same authors that will appear in the December JTO.

This highly satisfactory position of a new title, a new logo and fresh directions is an excellent moment for ‘The Transient Journal’ to pass on to the safe hands of Deborah Eastwood and Fergal Monsell.

Bob Handley