Journal of the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (JNDS) is an open access, online only journal primarily focused on showcasing the top case reports written by Oxford medical students during their clinical studies.
Our decision to launch an online medical journal represents our response to the evolving landscape of academic publishing, in which most high impact factor journals have moved away from publishing case reports and increasingly towards basic/translational science studies, large randomised trials and systematic reviews. Whilst all these are important developments in surgical journals, there remains an important place for case reports as they allow us to recognise when patients do not follow an expected path, allow us to question our current understanding and be hypothesis generating.
In addition to publication of the highest quality surgical cases studies written by Oxford University medical students, JNDS also welcomes submissions of high quality reviews on clinical topics and clinical research in all fields of medicine from researchers and surgical colleagues who seek a new and vibrant journal to disseminate their work.
The inaugural Issue of JNDS was officially launched on Wednesday 1 January 2020. Hoping to become a valuable resource for medical students, junior doctors, doctors in training and prospective students, a new issue will be published termly in the first instance.
Managing Editor, Dr Regent Lee, said: 'The launch of JNDS is the combined effort from many members within NDS. We hope it will gain the ongoing support from everyone within the department and become a central media to showcase our research and educational activities.'
Editor-in-Chief, Professor Ashok Handa, said: 'JNDS may be the start of an academic career for some and encourage critical thinking in others.'
The Director of Clinical Studies at the Oxford University Medical School, Catherine Swales, commented: 'This is a great initiative. Really exciting and fabulous for the students.'
Read the inaugural issue of JNDS
Read Professor Handa's welcome note