This winter 2026 issue of the Canadian Journal of Physician Leadership (CJPL) starts with a research article on vicarious trauma of hospital leaders, an important and under-addressed matter. Another article in our Health Economics series shows us how to organize data to improve decision-making. Rural leaders will learn how collaborative care can include specialists under conditions of enduring scarcity when reading the current article in the Rural Leadership section. An article on Leadership Education and Training “conceptualizes health-promoting leadership as a core, teachable competency that can guide physician leadership education.” In this issue, we are (re)starting the Coaching Corner series with an article that compares coaching with other forms of learning and support. This issue also includes viewpoint articles, some of which at least indirectly oppose each other, such as in relation to aspects of teamwork. We encourage further discussion about these and other matters and welcome letters to the editor addressing them in a critical yet balanced manner. This issue ends with a workbook review on how to achieve happiness.

As we enter this next quarter of the 21st century, it seems that focused sustained attention is needed to address both emerging and longstanding issues related to physician leadership. As part of that, we are starting a new tradition of theme issues. The intent is to try to publish one theme issue each year. The first will address physicians’ co-leadership of health-related services with other health care professionals, such as administrators, service users (such as patients and their family members), and/or others. I plan to co-edit this issue with non-physician leaders. Research, viewpoint, and (organizational) case study articles are welcome for submission to this theme issue by co-authors (at least one physician and at least one non-physician for each article). The submission deadline for this theme issue is the 1st of November 2026.

Input on CJPL’s content, process, style, and format is always welcome. Thank you for your involvement.