I think you hit the nail on the head. The obly reason people join the sasp is for the malpractice insurance. I will stick my neck out and say that if the insurance was available seperately, majority would opt not to buy the journal. In any case many other professions like dentists for example dont charge for the journal.

Sounds like some are trying to cling to an income stream and cant let go?…..These subscriptions to the SASP are ridiculous…..At least you get a handy ten page journal with your membership….;-)

I believe that the journal is more of a bonus of membership, which makes me think that if the journal were given to every physio in the country (and further) for free, most would continue paying for membership to the society, since it’s the insurance they want, and not necessarily the journal. I like your idea of taking a poll. I think that I’ll look into it. With any luck, most members will at worst say that they don’t mind if the journal is open access, and at best say they’d prefer it.

Thanks for your comment and suggestions.

Maybe I”m naive, but I’m wondering whether the society members would not continue to keep paying for the journal knowing that they are supporting the very important research channel for their society specifically BECAUSE they want it to be open access and hence more visible to the world. In other words, it may be that the enhanced visibility and building the prestige of their society as a knowledge source for all is AS or MORE IMPORTANT than receiving the journal as a perk of membership. Would it be worth taking a poll?

Similarly, Megan, it is specifically BECAUSE we are not an industrialised society that open access is important for SA and its neighbours.

Not being a member I can’t judge but I’m aware that most other local society journals are not fully subsidised through membership fees. Perhaps the journal is already making use of some forms of (discreet) sponsorship/advertising?

Thanks so much for a very comprehensive and well written letter. You make some very valid and valuable points.

Unfortunately though, like most things in life, its not as easy, simple and clear cut as it would initially appear.

The Journal is the academic mouthpiece of the SASP and is primarily created for our members and as such, it is one of the benefits, which you as a member pay for. In addition to this, the Journal is also distributed to numerous international and local (South Africa) Universities and Libraries. Furthermore, should an external request come through to Head Office for copies of the journal or specific articles, these are sent onto the individual immediately.

As the academic mouthpiece of the SASP, the Journal Editor has always been an academic physiotherapist by profession (actually a professor), who has extensive international and local industry knowledge and who utilises not only the international journals and congresses as a benchmark for the latest literature and research which is emerging, but also the other Physiotherapy Associations, WCPT and the internet, including sites like pubmed, BMJ, various blogs and Google Scholar. An extensive amount of homework and research has been put into the presentation, format, accessibility and content of the journal to ensure that it remains at the international benchmarked standard.

As the leading association for physiotherapists in Africa, we try to keep close tabs on what is happening outside of Africa to ensure that we keep up with the changes as and when they happen. However we need to remain cognoscente of the fact that we are a third world country and have different needs to that of first world countries such as Canada and Britain.

Your suggestion of an open access model of publication is a fantastic idea and most certainly the way we intend to move in the future, however the general consensus in the market place in which we operate alludes to the fact that at this point, we are not quite ready for this.

I hope that this addresses the crux of your letter – please let me know if you feel I’ve left anything out. Should you wish to discuss the matter further I am more than willing to meet with you to bash out some ideas. I really do appreciate your letter and suggestion and will most certainly keep looking into developing on your idea.

Thank you
Megan