Muhammad Khurram.
Medical research in Pakistan.
J Rawal Med Coll Jan ;16(1):82-82.

Medical research in Pakistan has evolved over years. About 49 national biomedical journals are recognized by Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). Increasing numbers of Pakistani authors are contributing to international medical literature as well. Research and authors/researchers in Pakistani settings are divisible in two categories; 1) compulsive research and compulsive authors/researchers, 2) voluntary research and voluntary authors/researchers. Compulsive research is further divided in to College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan (CPSP) driven, and institution or organization driven research. As per CPSP rules a candidate appearing in part II (final) examination of the Fellowship of College has to write a dissertation. Idea behind writing dissertation is that CPSP Fellows should be acquainted with research. For this purpose first a synopsis is written which is sent to CPSP for approval and then dissertation is written after conducting appropriate research. This dissertation is than reviewed by CPSP designated persons for possible approval, correction, and or rejection. CPSP provides guidance for written material, conducts workshops, and has deputed focal persons for this purpose at its regional centres. Candidates preparing for Fellowship examination however consider dissertation writing as additional burden and try to get rid of it. In this regard poor or fictitious research can not be ruled out. Fractions of this so called research gets place in Medline indexed journals.

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