Nuisance or necessity? Why robust peer review is critical for medical science

The diligent reviewing of submitted manuscripts is not an altogether altruistic pursuit. Perhaps most alluring is the opportunity to read new science before anyone else, at the proverbial cutting edge of the profession. Peer review provides the opportunity to guide and enhance through comments and author revisions the presentation of new findings, so the methods and messages are clear and accurate. You also may be exposed to novel study designs or findings that stimulate your own ideas for novel investigation. Being on a journal’s review radar makes you part of a collegial network of academics, scientists and clinicians that may benefit your career as you enhance your credentials and earn collegial respect. The experience gained involves an exchange of opinions between authors, editors and other reviewers that can enhance proficiency as a writer and a scientist. ‘Academic Service’ forms an increasingly important part of your curriculum vitae and the time may well be recognised by the allocation of continuing professional development points. Or, as a former BJSM editor pithily explained, reviewing should simply be viewed as a ‘rite of passage’ for clinicians and researchers alike.1 Apart from the potential benefits to the reviewer, a well-considered and carefully structured manuscript review is of immense benefit to the author(s). By publication, a paper has usually had at least five pairs of independent critically trained eyes (three peer reviewers, one …