The University of Health Sciences (UHS) Lahore is going to launch a two-year master's degree programme in Health Professions Education this year. UHS vice-chancellor, Professor Malik Hussain Mubbashar has nominated Professor Abdul Majeed Chaudhry as the course director during the 56th meeting of UHS Advanced Study and Research Board held here on Thursday.
Addressing the members of the board, Professor Abdul Majeed Chaudhry said that the programme is meant for all those health professionals who are working as teachers in medical institutions or those who want to make full time career in medical education. Mostly distance based, the programme is designed for health professionals who want to better prepare for educational leadership rules, he said.
According to him, the online format of the programme, where learning material will be sent to the students by e-mail, would allow professionals to pursue their degrees while maintaining full-time jobs. There shall be four contact periods of 15 days each in two-year degree programme, which will be held at UHS. During these contact periods, there will be different types of sessions, interactive lectures, group discussion, self study periods and projects.
Those having MBBS or BDS degrees with one-year house job experience and BS Nursing with 3-year experience shall be eligible to apply. UHS shall engage local as well as foreign faculty for the programme. Books and other reading material shall also be provided by the University.
"The online option would allow students to participate in the MHPE programme using a computer and an internet connection. Course schedules, assignments and readings shall be published on the web," said Professor Abdul Majeed. Assessments would be both formative and summative. In each module, participants are expected to obtain at least a GPA of 3 out of 4, he maintained. He further said that it is for the first time that a master's degree programme in health professions education is being launched in Punjab.
Meanwhile, the UHS Board also considered following synopsis for registration of students in various postgraduate courses including correlation between Mycobacterium tuberculosis positively and tumour necrosis factor alpha expression in patients with tuberculosis lymphadenitis" by Dr Fiaz Ahmad for M.Phil (Morbid Anatomy & Histopathology), "Polymor-phism of MIF gene in patients of diabetic nephropathy" by Dr Muhammad Nadir Iqbal for M.Phil (Human Genetics), "The antibacterial activity of methylglyoxal-reconstituted Beri Honey against extended spectrum ?-lactamase and carbapenemase producing gram negative rods" by Mr Muhammad Yasir for M.Phil (Microbiology), "Study of Bcl-2 in common odontogenic cysts" by Dr Iram Naz for M.Phil (Oral Pathology), "Preventive effect of losartan in comparison with pioglitazone in development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a rat model " by Dr Mohammad Nauman Shad for M.Phil (Pharmacology), "Diagnostic accuracy of c-reactive protein levels in the detection of acute appendicitis" by Dr Baber Usman for M.S. (General Surgery), "Complications in women presenting after induced abortion to a tertiary care hospital" by Dr Saima Shafqat for M.S. (Obst. & Gynae.), "Comparison of locking compression plate (LCP) Vs dynamic compression plate (DCP) in tibial diaphyseal fractures" by Dr Abdul Qadir for M.S. (Orthopaedics), "Bone grafting with and without containment in segmental bone defects" by Dr Muhammad Faisal Iqbal for M.S. (Orthopaedics), "Immediate open reduction and internal fixation of displaced supracondylar fracture of homers in children with early (within 6 days) Vs late (2-4 Weeks) presentation " by Dr Muhammad Zeb Khan for M.S. (Orthopaedics), "Study of wound cultures in open fractures at time of presentation and subsequent days" by Dr Zafar Iqbal for M.S. (Orthopaedics), "Percutaneous nephrolithotomy and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy as a treatment modalities for renal stones in adults" by Dr Aminullah for M.S. (Urology).