The requirement to respect autonomy - The Royal New Zealand ...

about the journal of primary health careThe Journal of Primary Health Care(JPHC) is a peer-reviewed journalwhich has replaced the New ZealandFamily Physician. It is a interdisciplinarypublication aimed at moving research intoprimary health care practice and practice intoresearch. This includes the fields of familypractice, primary health care nursing andcommunity pharmacy as well as areas such ashealth care delivery, health promotion, epidemiology,public health and medical sociologyof interest to a primary health care provideraudience. The journal is MEDLINE-listed.The journal publishes peer-reviewed quantitativeand qualitative original research,systematic reviews, papers on improving performanceand short reports that are relevantto its primary health care practitioners. Forthe aim, scope, instructions to authors andtemplates for publications see www.rnzcgp.org.nz/journal-of-primary-health-care/.JPHC acts as a knowledge refinery to providebusy practitioners with up-to-date knowledgeabout the latest evidence and best practice.Continuing professional developmentincludes pithy summaries of the latest evidencesuch as Cochrane Corner, a String ofPEARLS (Practical Evidence About Real LifeSituations) and Charms & Harms (evidence ofeffectiveness and safety of complementaryand alternative medicines). JPHC includesPoumanu (treasures of Maori wisdom) andGems of NZ Primary Health Care Researchpublished at home and internationally.Evidence can help inform best practice. Howeversometimes there is no evidence availableor applicable for a specific patient with hisor her own set of conditions, capabilities,beliefs, expectations and social circumstances.Evidence needs to be placed in context.General practice is an art as well as a science.Quality of care lies also with the nature of theclinical relationship, with communication andwith truly informed decision-making. JPHCpublishes viewpoints, commentaries and reflectionsthat explore areas of uncertainty onaspects of care for which there is no one rightanswer. Debate is stimulated by the Back toBack section where two professionals presenttheir opposing views on a topic. There is aregular Ethics column. Letters to the Editorare welcomed.While published in New Zealand by the RoyalNew Zealand College of General Practitioners,much of this research has genericimplications. Our Editorial Board comprisesrenowned and active primary care clinicians,clinical and scientific academics and healthpolicy experts with both New Zealand andinternational representation.EditorDr Felicity Goodyear-Smith: Professor andGoodfellow Postgraduate Chair, Departmentof General Practice and Primary HealthCare, University of Auckland, Auckland, NewZealand; editor@rnzcgp.org.nzDeputy EditorsDr Derelie Mangin: Associate Professor,Department of Public Health and GeneralPractice, University of Otago, Christchurch, NZDr Tony Dowell: Professor and Head of theDepartment of Primary Health Care and GeneralPractice, Wellington School of Medicine,University of Otago, NZSubmissionsFull instructions for authors can be found at:http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/information-for-authorsPlease send all submissions to the Editor:editor@rnzcgp.org.nzEditorial BoardDr Bruce Arroll: Professor and Head of theDepartment of General Practice & PrimaryHealth Care, University of Auckland, NZDr Jo Barnes: Associate Professor ofPharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University ofAuckland, NZDr Jenny Carryer: Professor of Nursing,School of Health and Social Services, MasseyUniversity, Palmerston North, NZDr Peter Crampton: Dean and Head ofCampus, Wellington School of Medicine andHealth Sciences, University of Otago, NZMs Eileen McKinlay: Senior Lecturer inPrimary Health Care, Department of PrimaryHealth Care and General Practice, Universityof Otago Wellington, NZDr Barry Parsonson: Psychologist for NZ Ministryof Education and International Consultant,UNICEF (Georgia) Training Project for InstitutionalStaff working with disabled childrenDr Shane Reti: Assistant Professor, InternationalProgram Director Clinical Informaticsand CEO of Clinical Informatics IndustrialResearch, Harvard Medical School, USADr Kurt Stange: Professor of FamilyMedicine, Case Western Reserve University,Cleveland, OH, USA and Editor, Annals ofFamily MedicineDr Colin Tukuitonga: Associate Professorand CEO of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs,Wellington, NZSubscription and advertising queriesCherylyn Borlase, Publications CoordinatorRNZCGP, PO Box 10440, Wellington 6143, New Zealand; jphcnz@rnzcgp.org.nzJPHC is printed on uncoated, acid-free paper which meets the archival requirements of ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (Permanence of Paper) and is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)–certifiedwhich meets the highest environmentally responsible standards.The Journal of Primary Health Care is the official journal of the RNZCGP. However, views expressed are not necessarily those of the College,the Editor, or the Editorial Board. ©The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2010. All Rights Reserved.352 VOLUME 2 • NUMBER 4 • DECEMBER 2010 J OURNAL OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE