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Plight of Medical
Journalism in Pakistan
Prof. Tahir Saeed Haroon* FRCP, FCPS
The idea of this first ever
conference on Medical Editing in Pakistan was floated by Prof. Major
General Mohammad Aslam, Principal of Army Medical College, Rawalpindi.
Pakistan Medical Journalists Association (PMJA) decided to extend its
whole hearted support. Dr. Maqbool H.Jafary and Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid
were requested to co-ordinate.
Pakistan Medical Journalists Association was established in 1983 with
the objective of promoting the cause of medical journalism in the
country. In this connection PMJA has conducted numerous seminars and
workshops in collaboration with major institutions of the country. Under
its banner, it has published several books on the art of medical writing
and medical editing. Our members have also played a significant role in
the establishment of Eastern Mediterranean Association of Medical
Editors (EMAME) under the umbrella of WHO EMRO. Presently Dr. Maqbool H.
Jafary is the Vice President and also the Chairman of the Evidence Based
Medicine Committee of EMAME. Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid is one of the
Presidents-at-large and also Chairman of its Scientific Committee.
The membership of PMJA includes the editors of medical publications in
the country, be it the medical newspapers or medical journals. The
number of medical journals currently recognized by the Pakistan Medical
and Dental Council stands at over forty. These journals are also indexed
in WHO EMRO IMEMR Current Contents as well as EMBASE of Netherlands.
However, only three are presently indexed in Medline. Only one medical
journal is indexed in SCIE by Thomson/ISI.
There is a famous saying that if there are no medical writers, there
would be no medical editors. Medical writing and medical editing
represent two aspects of the same face. Unfortunately both these fields
remain neglected in our country. There is no formal coaching and only
PMJA and the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan have paid some
attention to this problem. We sincerely hope that other medical
institutions in the country will contribute their share. Medical writing
and medical editing should be introduced as subject in the undergraduate
medical curriculum. This is an era of research and those nations that
are not inquisitive are wiped out unceremoniously. This point should be
earnestly grasped by the Islamic World, most countries of which belong
to WHO EMRO region.
Let me quote a few lines from an article published in the prestigious
scientific journal NATURE,1 this article titled “What was wrong with the
Muslim Science” Francis Giles writes” At its peak about one thousand
years ago, the Muslim World made a remarkable contribution to science,
notably Mathematics and Medicine. Baghdad in its heyday and southern
Spain built universities to which thousands flocked; rulers surrounded
themselves with scientists and artists. A spirit of freedom allowed jews,
christians and muslims to work side by side. Today all this is but
memory.”
“Publish or Perish” is a well known dictum. In our country very few
physicians write for the love of it, mostly do it under duress e.g.
writing a dissertation or a thesis for a postgraduate qualification; or
to fulfill the requirements for promotion. Unfortunately appointment of
medical teachers is also based on other considerations than research and
publication. Experience shows that practicing physicians and part-time
faculty members cannot devote enough energy for such academic pursuits.
Naturally this lack of interest in research and medical writing trickles
down to their trainees. Hence appointments of a full time and devoted
scientific faculty are imperative for survival in this academic world.
With dearth of medical writing it is difficult for the medical journals
to survive. Hats off to the editors who still manage to publish their
journals against all odds.
In Pakistan the problems besetting the medical journalism are many, the
chief ones being the lack of training of editors, lack of coaching of
authors in scientific writing, dearth of good quality reviewers and,
last but not the least, financial sustainability of the journals. Add to
this, plagiarism and other ethical issues. Our editors have also to keep
pace with the latest developments in the world e.g. online journalism
and e-publishing.
There is a dire need for formal training in medical writing and medical
editing. The present conference is an important step in that direction.
It will provide a great opportunity for interactive sessions with the
brothers, and I hasten to add the sisters-in-arm from within the country
as well as distinguished delegates from WHO and friendly countries. We
sincerely hope that the deliberations of this conference will go a long
way in guiding the future of Medical Writing and Medical Editing in
Pakistan.
References
1. Giles F. What was wrong with
the Muslim Science? NATURE, March 24th 1983.
* Former Professor and Head Dept. of
Dermatology
King Edward Medical College, Mayo Hospital Lahore
Former President, Pakistan Medical Journalists Association |
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