Paediatric Rotation within Structured House Job discussed

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Paediatric Rotation within Structured House Job discussed

Pakistan Paediatric Association (Centre) organized a Special Meeting recently at CPSP, Karachi to discuss duration of Paediatric rotation within Structured House-job PDMC.

The Meeting was chaired by President PPA, Dr. Amir. M. Khan Jogezai. It was attended by senior Paediatricians, VCs and Dean of Medical Colleges and Universities including Prof. Dr. M. Umer Farooq, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) & Principal, Sindh Medical College (SMC) and Prof. Dr. Kamran Hameed, Dean Ziauddin University. Prof. Waqar Kazmi, Principal Karachi Medical & Dental College and Prof. Noshad A. Shaikh, Vice Chancellor, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro were on tele-conference.

Prof. Zareen Fasih, Secretary General PPA gave a brief presentation on the format of house-job in Pakistan, UK and other institutions like AKU, Ziauddin University, DUHS. She referred to the notification issued by PMDC dated 18th April 2011 where as during the 12 months structured house-job candidate has to follow the six modules which includes:

Medicine including on calling emergencies & out patient for 3 months; Paediatrics including on calling emergencies & out patient for 2 months; Psychiatry including on calling emergencies & out patient for 1 months; Surgery including rotation in sub disciplines, emergency, out patient, operation theatre & Anesthesia for 3 months; Outpatient and operation Anesthesia-OBS & Gyne emergency, out patient, operation theatre & Anesthesia for 2 months and Radiology for 1 month.

She highlighted that with this rotation module, the duration of paediatric rotation will only be two months which would be too short to have sufficient hands on experience in Paediatrics. PPA  with all its provincial branches wants to develop a consensus among itself for the minimum duration of pediatric rotation during the structured house job. The final decision will then be conveyed and pursued at PMDC.

Prof. A. G. Billoo briefed the participants of the meeting about the history of paediatric specialty as it evolved in Pakistan. He deliberated on the paediatric subject as part of Internal Medicine with no separate paediatric rotation and no separate paediatric examination during final year MBBS examinations. Prof. A. G. Billoo opted for option, where 3 months of paediatric rotation should be mandatory.

Dr. Umar Farooq, Principal and Co-Vc DUHS, referred to the problems faced in future for accommodating a large number of trainees in small number of units (Paeds, Gyne) as compared to large number of units (Surgery, Medicine). He added that it may not be possible to rotate all trainees for a specific period of time in small units. He proposed two modules (a) Medicine, Surgery & Paeds (b) Medicine, Gyne & Paeds, as not every doctor would be interested to rotate through Gyne, Surgery or Paeds.

Prof. Kamran Hameed, Dean Ziauddin referred to the PMDC rules & regulations and pointed out that each module to be completed separately. Each house-job conducting institution shall have an exit assessment exam itself or through university; BLS course shall be compulsory and one year observer ship/internship in one specialty can only be undertaken in an approved hospital approved for training of that specialty by PM&DC, only if the doctor has passed the structured house job and has attained full registration with PM&DC. Rotation shall be allowed in only those specialties which are recognized for house jobs.

Dr. Iqbal Memon, President Elect PPA Center supported the option where a trainee needs to have three months of mandatory paediatric rotation,  keeping in mind that 50 % of Pakistani population is below 18 years and Pakistan still has very high infant and under 5 mortality.

Prof. Tahir Masood, opted for minimum three months rotation. He added that trainee who wants to pursue their career in a particular subject like paediatrics can go for six months house job in that subject.

Prof. Tariq Bhutta, discussed and highlighted the importance of paediatrics rotation and said that six months house job in paediatrics is recommended.

Prof. A. G. Nagi, Bahria University, said that the old practice of paediatric house job should be continued, as 2 to 3 months rotation is not logically possible.

Prof. Aisha Mehnaz of DUHS, Dr. General Salman & General Shahida Badshah, Dr. Tufail M. Khan, Dr. Gohar Rehman and Dr. Hakeem Shah from KPK agreed that the matter is very important and should be taken up seriously at PMDC. They extended their full support on that matter.

2017-04-26T12:35:25+00:00