Editor's note

New name, improved contents
We have introduced the Malaysian identity to our journal name. The change is actually more than just the name or a new cover. These are but the outward manifestations. In this issue and in subsequent ones, we try to present a variety of articles that cater to the taste and inclination of our readers. Some articles provide information and updates, others are designed to provoke and elicit a response. In academic journals, reviewers are invariably shielded from the authors who often tolerate their vexatious demands to change the manuscripts. Often the request for changes by the reviewers will result in a better article; at times, the critiques can be off-putting to budding writers. In this issue, we have a unique situation where we are publishing commentaries (Pages 18, 22) by two reviewers following the original articles. We wish to congratulate Dr Tong Seng Fah (and colleagues), Dr Keah & Dr Chng and the reviewers for agreeing to this experiment.

Letters
In established academic journals, the Letters to the Editor (Correspondence) is often the most interesting section. Careful readers often point out errors that escaped the eyes of the reviewers and the Editorial Board. The Letters section is an essential part of the postpublication peer review and a forum for scientific discourse. By publishing a commentary after the original article, we hope that both pieces will be read critically. Of course, the commentaries merely reflect the perspectives (or biases) of the reviewers, readers are encouraged to offer alternative viewpoints. Do feel free to send in your comments to any articles published in this issue. You may send your comments directly to The Editor by email.

Author names
Asian names is a source of confusion for the Westerners. The article published in Australian Journal of Rural Health by Dr Kamil Mohd Ariff and Dr Khoo Siew Beng (abstracted on Page 28) was cited incorrectly by PubMed as "Ariff KM, Beng KS". To avoid this, when submitting your articles overseas, it is wise to write your preferred name last (e.g. "Mohd Ariff Kamil" and "Siew Beng Khoo"). For those with double-word preferred name, it may be better to hyphenate the two words (e.g. "Hanafi Nik-Sherina"). But, in keeping with our "house style", we have decided to publish your name in full as it is but shorten it for the citation. We will not include part of the name that signifies relationship (e.g. bin, binte, a/l, a/p, ak). We will consult the authors regarding the appropriate shorten names to be used in the citation.

Author's titles and professional degrees
This is a contentious issue. At the moment the Journal policy is to allow up to two professional degrees (to be decided by the authors). Basic medical degree (e.g. MBBS or equivalent) is not necessary if the author already has a postgraduate medical qualification (e.g. MMed or FRACGP). We will not include non-professional titles (e.g. Haji, Dato') in our journal articles.

Online version
The electronic version in this inaugural issue is accessible at http://www.afpm.org.my/journal. In the electronic version of all articles, there are clickable links (provided you have connection to the internet), e.g. links to PubMed [PubMed] or other free information available via the internet [Full text] or [Link]. WebExtra are materials only available in the online journal.

Teng Cheong Lieng
Editor
tengcl@gmail.com