ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has framed new regulations based on research work and teaching experience for the appointment and promotions in medical institutions.

After Dec 31, 2018, two research papers will be required for promotion as assistant professor, five for associate professor and eight research papers for promotion as professor.

For fresh appointments, the research based regulations will come into force from Aug 1 this year.

An official of the council, who is not authorised to speak on record, said medical education was upgrading across the globe due to which there was a need to change decade sold discipline/subjects.

“However, for that the faculty should also be redefined and need sto be equipped with the latest skills and techniques. It has to be ensured that the curriculum would be taught by a competent faculty having grip on changing issues in the medical field,” he said.

“We need to be more focused on research work. Under the new regulations all the medical and dental colleges have been directed to establish medical education departments in their respective colleges with qualified full time faculty with effect from Dec 31,” he said.

Meanwhile, the council president, Prof Dr Shabbir Lehri, said the medical education department would play a pivotal role in steering the educational activities. This department will have a counselling cell with at least one qualified psychologist with 18 years experience.

He said to promote research work the number of mandatory original articles for assistant, associate and professor’s promotion have been increased.

“After Dec 31, 2018 for assistant professor at least two research papers in relevant subject will be required, five research publications and five years of teaching experience will be mandatory for assistant professor’s promotion to associate professor.

“For promotion from associate professor to professor, at least nine years teaching experience and eight research publications in the relevant subject will be required,” he said.

The holder of FCPS (Fellow of the College of Physicians and Surgeons) in clinical subjects and nonmedical faculty are no more eligible for appointment in the basic medical science subjects, he said.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2017