WHAT ULTRASOUND END-USERS IN PAKISTAN CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS EVIDENCE BASED SONOGRAPHY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ultrasound related research work generation and yearly trends in Pakistan by type of publication, sources of funding and name of journals. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. MATERIAL & METHODS: A systematic search strategy using key words related to techniques and type of ultrasound was carried out to identify various studies published in Indexed (Medline) and non-indexed (Pakmedinet) medical journals. RESULTS: A total of 116 research papers were identified by Pakistani institutes in the literature from 1993 to May 2010. There was an increasing trend of publication seen from 2000 to 2010. Most of the articles were published in national medical journals (90%) and by government institutes (77%) and 61% published in non-indexed journals but trend for publication in non-indexed journal is decreasing from 2000 onward. Most preferred international journal was Journal of ultrasound in medicine (n= 4) while most preferred indexed Pakistani journal was Journal of Pakistan medical association (n=17). Mean impact factor of journals was 0.596. A significantly larger proportion of articles from radiology department was published in indexed journals as compared to articles from non radiology department (P-value <0.001). Similarly article from private institute were published in indexed journals in higher proportion as compared to articles from government institutes (P-value<0.001). No validation or nommogram ultrasound study was done. No study was financially supported by any formal agency. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound related research in Pakistan is not adequate and quality is questionable, though private institutes produce better quality research with gradually increasing trend. There is a need of ultrasound related research support to increase quality research production for improving health services and ultrasound research in Pakistan.

KEY WORDS: ultrasound research; research in Pakistan; radiology research.