AACP Committee Report

Communications Committee

10/6/09

Present: Altschuler, Feldman, Lim, McQuistion (substitute chair), Saunders, Vogel-Scibilia

Three topics were discussed:

Journal – Dr. Feldman reported that the Journal continues to do well in terms of submissions. There are more international submissions than ever. Moreover, there is an effort to review and publish more clinically-oriented material. There was a suggestion to vary the cover art over the six issues per year. Dr. Feldman also commented that Springer is interested in other publishing prospects with us. The committee expressed interest in an updated community psychiatry textbook, among other ideas. Dr. Feldman will explore the issue of cover art and book publishing.

Newsletter – Drs. Saunders and Vogel-Scibilia have experienced technical difficulties with publishing software. These have now been resolved and we expect an edition to be published within the next approximately 4 weeks. Dr. McQuistion is exploring editorship of the journal after the upcoming issue.

Website – The committee expressed generally great satisfaction with the design and appearance of the new website, which is scheduled to go-live on 11/1/09. Dr. McQuistion will investigate the feasibility of posting social networking, the membership directory, presentations, and other features on the Member’s Only page of the site. Rick Brandt, the site designer has said this is possible and will facilitate if the membership wishes. This will be followed up by Drs. Thompson, McQuistion, and others.

Respectfully submitted,

Hunter McQuistion, MD