Events

Prof Geeta K Vemuganti, Research at the Medical School (University of Hyderabad): Opportunities and Challenges

Date: Friday 25 January 2013 12:00 - 13:00

Location: SEMS Seminar Room

"Research at the Medical School (University of Hyderabad): Opportunities and Challenges"

Geeta K Vemuganti, Prof & Dean of School of Medical Sciences, University of Hyderabad, AP, India

Most countries including India have best of clinicians and best of scientists working in their respective areas, however only a few Institutions in India provide a platform where they can get together and contribute to translational research. Medical and allied education in India is mostly now under the aegis of Medical Universities rather than being part of general state or central universities. While this would have led to some benefits of having medical and allied degrees under one umbrella, it has also resulted in a gap between clinicians and scientists. Secondly, teaching and clinical work takes up most of the time of the doctors leaving little time for them to do research. Thirdly research requires large amounts of funding- and grant writing is not included as part of medical education. Another challenge is that medical education is part of the organogram of UGC while medical education and research come under the aegis of Ministry of health and education.
Some of the measures that have been attempted to overcome these limitations or under consideration are: Involve medical graduates in research, including a curriculum on grant writing , promote join partnerships between clinicians and scientist etc. Another way of promoting and developing teams consisting of clinicians and scientists is to include allied health professionals in research activities. In this era of interdependence translational research either bench to bedside or to society is the key to success. I hereby quote examples where medical research in India has made significant contribution and led to considerable change in medical practice.