‘You don't write because you want to say something, you write because you've got something to say.’
F Scott Fitzgerald. The Crack Up. 1936.
I have long regarded myself as a writer afflicted with permanent writer's block. Annually, my New Year's resolution to write an academic paper for publication has been a promise broken. Yet, until now, I have failed to conquer the obstacles that have thwarted my ambitions and have thus vainly recycled my literary aspirations for another year.
There are many reasons that medical professionals write. The oft quoted mantra, ‘publish or perish’ rings true for career progression within academia. The inducements of hiring, tenure, and promotion have increased the pressure to write and to publish.1 Appleton2 described other reasons for writing, including improved care for others, recognition by fellow professionals, and being rewarded with a sense of personal satisfaction.
There appear to be even more reasons why medical professionals do not write. Lack of time, lack of ability, and lack of something to say have been recurring reasons cited by non-writing health professionals.3 I may be guilty of blaming all three.
As a GP my career has prospered without writing or publishing. However, two recent developments have finally inspired me to …