Research publications: Should they be mandatory for promotions of medical teachers?

As per new amendment rules of Medical Council of India (MCI), research publications in indexed/national journals are now mandatory for promotion to posts of professors and associate professors. This amendment has raged a debate across the whole country as to whether medical teachers should really involve in research. It is a sad to know that even though India has the largest number of medical institutes and large biodiversity of population, we are short of quality research publications. Research works originating in our country get patented in the west. Where does the problem lie - with the system or with the teachers? Through this debate, we try to come to a conclusion whether research publications should be mandatory for teachers to get promotions. What is the need for research? The literal meaning of research is “an endeavor to discover facts by study or investigation.” Undergraduate students need to learn research for a strong foundation. Postgraduate students need research methodology for thesis and medical teachers are guides for conducting their thesis. Practitioners need to understand research, as they have to deal with a variety of cases. Policy makers utilize research for framing policies while administrators take decisions with the help of research outcomes. In short, knowledge of research is needed for all medical professionals and the fields related to medicine. Medicine is an ever-evolving science based on research. We have entered into an era of evidence-based medicine (EBM) which aims to apply evidence gained by a scientific method to change current medical practice. The EBM lies on foundation of research. In this era, all doctors should understand science and art of research methodology. Research, forms the basis for various decisions regarding investigations, diagnosis, and treatment. The ultimate aim of conducting research is to improve health and patient care, thereby serving the mankind. Teachers also need to publish their research in a peer-reviewed journal as we are fast approaching toward “publish or perish” principle adopted by the western countries. Yes, research should be mandatory for teachers Teachers should be “role models” for their students in terms of honesty in teaching and conducting ethical research. There are enough evidences to prove that the quality of teaching improves if faculty is oriented toward research. The teachers who have publications are definitely an edge above their rivals when there is competition for promotions.