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Research conducted
at Aga Khan University (AKU) is being used for teaching postgraduate
and undergraduate students at the University of British Columbia
(UBC), Canada. This was disclosed by Professor Duncan Etches of
UCB.
Dr. Waris Qidwai, Associate
Professor, Department of Family Medicine at AKU, earned the rare distinction
of being ranked as a first author of eleven papers indexed on a reputed international
medical publication, Medline, which is considered the gold standard for publication
of work done in medicine all over the world. In 2003, Dr. Qidwai wrote 11 manuscripts
that were indexed in Medline. This achievement in one year is equal to research
publications in 10-15 years by most professors.
Research at AKU forms an
integral part of the curriculum. The University has made significant progress
in research studies, addressing problems and issues related to the improvement
of health of the population, particularly women and children. AKU actively encourages
the undertaking of research aimed at producing, low cost, accessible, innovative
and relevant solutions. Activities based on research are strengthened through
collaborative linkages with prestigious national and international institutions,
such as Pakistan Medical Research Council; Royal College of General Practitioners,
UK; Oxford University in UK, Karolinska Institute in Sweden, University of Toronto,
Canada, and National Institutes of Health, USA.
Dr. Qidwai has worked on
the perceptions and practice regarding Bioethics among patients and physicians
in Karachi. In his research work, he has found that a paternalistic model of
medical practice exists in Pakistan, whereby a physician is expected to make
all decisions for the care of his patient. He has also found a move towards
a more patient-autonomy-based model of practice that exists in the West, where
a patient is considered an equal partner in his/her health care.
Dr. Qidwai has questioned
the terminology in use in the developed world. "Patients are labeled as difficult,
or heart-sink. Dr. Qidwai suggests that such patients be called 'challenging
patients'. "When one considers a patient difficult, negative feelings overwhelm
the doctor. But when a patient is seen as challenging, the doctor is stimulated
and gives a positive response," says Dr. Qidwai. He adds that such questioning
is likely to effect changes in the manner medicine is practiced in the west.
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