The development of the electronic journal in the medical sciences

Since the early 1900s, the traditional system of scientific and technical journals has been unable to handle the increasing amounts of information researchers and science professionals generate and use. The electronic journal has developed in response to this information overload. It is especially useful in the medical sciences, where doctors and researchers must publish and access large amounts of data as quickly as possible.

The advantages of the electronic journal are that 1) information becomes dynamic and interactive once captured digitally, 2) users gain quick access to information in a variety of forms selected according to the users' needs, and 3) electronic journals relieve the overburdened publishing system by storing more information in less space and at less cost.

The disadvantages are that 1) hardware and software user problems exist and must be solved, 2) graphics capabilities must be improved, 3) international distribution of electronic journals must be established, and 4) tele communications costs must fall to affordable levels.

Electronic publishing is here to stay, but the role of the electronic journal in this new system has yet to be clearly established. More than likely, a balance will be achieved between the advantages of the traditional publishing system and the electronic medium.