Why such apathy for medical research?

We are shocked to learn that around 47 percent of doctors in four major hospitals do not have the required skills to do research. Skills include knowing how to conduct statistical analyses, writing papers worthy of foreign publications and writing manuscripts. The fact that such a high proportion of doctors lack such basic skills is truly alarming for a discipline that demands continuous study of various aspects of medicine.

The study, conducted by the Department of Public Health and Informatics at BSMMU, also found that only 25 percent of the surveyed doctors authored research, while 29 percent were co-authors of research published in different journals. In a country where public health is constantly challenged by waves of diseases, the present dengue epidemic being a prime example, it is unthinkable that medical research is so grossly neglected.

So why are doctors so disinclined to conduct research? The study has found that six out 10 physicians do research only to get promoted, which means they are not doing this for self-development or to gain more insight into their specialised field. Other reasons given for research included the desire to pursue a career abroad for higher studies, with 41 percent conducting research in order to be "praised".

This lack of enthusiasm is largely affected by the generally unfriendly environment for such study. Most respondents pointed to professional pressure and lack of research-related knowledge as impediments; others pointed to having no prior knowledge of research and the dearth of grants. The lack of professional benefit, non-cooperation of colleagues and the idea that private practice was more profitable were also cited as reasons.

Research should be considered a mandatory part of medical studies and must be encouraged in all medical institutes. Senior physicians have a huge role to play in being mentors and facilitators of research by their juniors. As experts have said, it is essential that local universities and medical institutions collaborate to foster this research culture. In addition, existing funds available for research must be judiciously utilised, while allocations for research must be increased and monitored in all medical institutions.

It goes without saying that without continuous research, doctors cannot gain insight into what new medicines, procedures and tools can be developed to provide better treatments for patients. Without research, they will be significantly ill-equipped to tackle the formidable challenges of controlling outbreaks of deadly diseases.