Two-day workshop on Peer Review

Hyderabad: Delegates from across the country have attended the two-day workshop on Peer Review on April 14, 15 at the KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad. The workshop was conducted jointly by the Indian Journal of Urology and KIMS.

Articles, research papers and other intellectual work by the young doctors and medical professionals was verified and authenticated by the senior professionals during the workshop. Peer review is at the very heart of science. It is the process of evaluation of research or a written article by someone of similar competence and in a similar field as the researcher or writer. It was attended by about 75 professionals from across the country. 

It is an essential step before any article gets published, grants approved and even before the Noble prize gets awarded. It is an imperfect art but is the best we have at the present. It prevents poor quality or fraudulent research getting published.

National Medical Journal of India Editor Piyush Sahni conducted the workshop and delivered key note address. Similarly, other experts from different fields shared their experiences. Associate editors of Indian Journal of Urology including Dr Nitin Kekre, Dr Rajeev Kumar, Dr Santosh Kumar, Dr Apul Goel, Dr Arabind Panda reviewed the research papers and addressed the workshop.

Break-out work sessions were held each day to provide the participants with an opportunity to practice peer review. Small group round table format was held in order to give more impact to the training. Almost 40 consultant urologists from across the country attended the workshop.

Speaking on the occasion Dr B Bhaskar Rao, MD & CEO, KIMS Hospitals said that peer review of research improves patient care and ensures that only evidence based, valid treatments and management protocols are accepted. It also promotes debate and discussion about the prevailing standards and newer treatment before these become acceptable alternatives. “In the era of perceptions and social media, peer review helps to preserve the modicum of truth”, he added.