Unpacking The BMJ’s Unique Christmas Edition Featuring Fun and Insightful Research

The British Medical Journal, now known as The BMJ, has built a unique tradition with its annual Christmas edition. This special issue, which started in 1982 as a festive experiment, has become a much-anticipated publication featuring engaging research with a light-hearted twist.

The Research Topics

The Christmas edition addresses unusual yet intriguing questions. For instance, how much free food can one take before it becomes excessive? How does the presence of clock towers impact sleep patterns? There’s even a comparison of doctors in The Sims 4 to their real-world counterparts, highlighting shared challenges like work-life balance.

Submission and Selection Process

Contributors face a competitive submission process to be part of this edition. The BMJ receives over a hundred entries annually but selects only a few. Research submissions close on July 31, while non-research contributions, such as essays and features, are due by August 31.

The selection is overseen by editors, including Jenny Rasanathan and Timothy Feeney. They ensure the content is both engaging and entertaining, catering to physicians looking for a light read during the holidays.

Editor Favorites and Notable Features

The edition showcases a variety of formats and subjects. Jenny Rasanathan appreciates the analysis on socially acceptable quantities of free food. Producer Liz Metzger is fond of the study of Sims 4 doctors compared to real-life doctors, which reveals their struggles.

Other memorable pieces include studies on library refreshments and the potential misuse of primary care prompted by the popular show Peppa Pig. The issue invites readers to explore past editions and enjoy diverse scientific insights with humor.

Listeners can tune into Short Wave on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts to hear more, and they can suggest future topics by emailing [email protected].