Research Summit 2025: A Roadmap for Quality, Innovation and Global Recognition - Dr Soumick Ranjan Sahoo
The 2nd edition of the research summit brought the best medical research minds of the country to New Delhi. It was a unique conference dedicated exclusively to medical research. The summit consisted of panel discussions along with the distribution of research awards. There was a comprehensive discussion about the obstacles of medical research along with solutions to remove the obstacles. Every point such as how to write a research article, how to prevent ethical issues, causes of rejection of a research article, issue of retraction of published articles etc. were discussed. Also how to shorten the time from the submission of the article to the decision by the reviewers and editorial board were discussed.
The policymakers of ICMR also highlighted how ICMR has started first in the world challenge to encourage researchers. Another important discussion was that how Artificial Intelligence is becoming important and the medical community of India must have knowledge about it. Also emphasis was given about improving the quality of medical publications more than quantity. A very important message for the postgraduate medical students was that thesis should be done with a curiosity and research mentality and not just to become eligible for exams. The policymakers emphasized that young minds should be recognized and encouraged and supported in field of medical research.
The main take home mantra of the summit was DISCOVER IN INDIA and creation of a research ecosystem in India.
In addition to that a few proposals I would suggest to improve or inculcate a research mentality in Indian medical minds.
1. Constitute a National Task Force On Medical Research functional under NMC and NBEMS which will look and review the quality of medical research conducted in medical institutes in India.
2. To conduct a national survey of medical doctors and classify the doctors as
a). Clinical Practice Oriented
b). Clinical Teaching oriented
c). Clinical Research oriented
Those doctors who have been found to be clinically research oriented be given priority and support for carrying out medical research.
3. A MERA SUJHAV PORTAL/ONLINE SUGGESTION PORTAL where medical students and doctors can share their innovative ideas / ground breaking ideas directly with the national task force of medical research.
4. A DISCOVER IN INDIA NATIONAL MEDICAL CONFERENCE /FAIR may be organized at AIIMS NEW DELHI the country’s premier medical institute every 2 years where medical students/doctors can showcase their innovation.
5. Counselling of 12th class (PUC) students of schools /colleges by eminent medical scientists that those desirous to take up the medical profession should be prepared to give service to the patients and at the same time do medical discoveries which will improvise health care in India.
6. Consider doing research on topics based on real problems which we are facing today. For example-There is an increase in sudden cardiac arrest /heart attacks /stroke/cancer in young individuals today. We have to find a solution to these catastrophic health events through research.
7. A virtual seminar must be organized for the medical institutions of the country on the subject of the parameters on which world rankings of institutions are given and how we can improvise our research parameters. Some marks should be given in the medical exams to those students who have excelled in medical research
8. Some marks should be given in the medical exams to those students who have excelled in medical research
9. A specific section dedicated to medical research should be part of syllabus of NEET PG/NATIONAL EXIT TEST.
10. Scholar exchange programme between research focused medical institutes in India with research medical institutes abroad below 40 years so that an Indian Medical researcher can have exposure to world class standards at a young age.
11. MBBS/MS/MD/DNB students and doctors should collaborate with engineers in IIT/NIT/INDUSTRY to manufacture medical devices /instruments under MAKE IN INDIA initiative.
12. Special awards by NMC and NBEMS for the guide/co-guide/postgraduate whose thesis has societal relevance and is ground breaking.
13. Doctors desirous of policymaking research may be given mentored training by IAS officers/NITI AAYOG.
14. Every medical institute in India should take a pledge on Doctors Day to bring the NOBLE PRIZE IN MEDICINE FOR INDIA and the message has to repeatedly emphasized in CME /Conference conducted at the medical institute.
15.Creation of a Department Of Health Research In Institutes Of National Importance(AIIMS,PGIMER,JIPMER,NIMHANS, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute For Medical Sciences And Technology) initially and subsequently in 1 top medical college of every state of India.
It is concluded that we doctors and medical students of India should work together to make India the best in the world in the field of medical research and fulfil the vision of a VIKSIT BHARAT.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Medical Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Medical Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.
