Leprosy Mailing List – October 31, 2022
Ref.: (LML) Future of LML?
From: Ruth Butlin, London, UK
Dear Pieter,
Regarding the posting on 16.9.22, I was interested to see that it was similar to the one posted on 25.7.19, which sadly received very little response (as far as I recall).
I followed the link to find out about the "on line community of practice concept" (of which I have no personal experience) but cannot see that it would be a good alternative to Leprosy Mailing List, although there may be a place for a CoP focused on leprosy, as another resource.
Having been in the LML almost since its inception in 2001, I value it -and often recommend it- as an accessible forum for discussion amongst people interested in leprosy. The range of participants is one of its strengths: people who have experience of giving or of receiving clinical care, people with laboratory expertise, people experienced in handling control programme or dealing with the epidemiology of leprosy, people with expertise in editing journals or in peer- reviewing papers, people with advocacy experience and those with expertise in the social care field, and various other "interested persons".
It is often helpful in assessing (and responding to) a posting to know a little of the situation of the author; some do helpfully say something like "I am an inexperienced medical officer who needs advice…" or "as someone with vast experience of laboratory research…."
It is good to have the regular postings pointing to useful publications, e.g. those from Leprosy Review and Sasakawa foundation and INFOLEP, amongst others. Also, postings on forthcoming events such as the ILCs are appreciated.
I do find it interesting to follow discussion on individual clinical cases presented anonymously, but would request people who put up such queries to consider sending a follow up later to inform us about the success (or failure) of the management course finally chosen. Other discussions have been enlightening - such as a memorable one from a few years ago, on the way eye impairments are reflected in WHO disability grading.
Thank you for emphasising the issue of the status of LML postings: although many opinion pieces posted in LML are thoughtfully composed with references given, they are not to be considered equivalent of papers published in peer-reviewed journals, not having been through the same level of scientific scrutiny. However, just as some Newspaper editorials/articles are cited in more formal publications, so LML postings are a legitimate means of presenting information/personal professional opinions to a wider audience so ought to be citeable. I am not sure, however, if there is a problem of retrievability for past postings?
As a native English speaker, of course, I appreciate an English language platform, but I wondered if there is a similar platform in any other language (Hindi? Portuguese? French?). If not, should one be initiated?
By a traditional British convention, LML has now come of age (at 21years old). I would like to thank the past and present editors for their sterling work, and wish them great success in continuing to maintain the platform in future. I look forward to the binary Discussion (virtual and live) planned for during the 21st ILC next month, and to seeing newer members of the LML community contributing their ideas, experiences and questions to the discussion pool. Long live the leprosy mailing list!
Yours faithfully,
C Ruth Butlin (retired leprosy clinician)
LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder
LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/
Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << editorlml@gmail.com
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