FIMA Year Book 2009 - Federation of Islamic Medical Associations

Clinicians As Effective ResearchersFaroque A. Khan*AbstractThis article addresses the commonly asked question: Can clinicians be effectiveresearchers?The author draws on historical discoveries by inquisitive physicians and hisown experience, which involves extensive clinical research in various aspectsof pulmonary medicine in the United States and his more recent experience ofoverseeing the development of research at King Fahd Medical City in Riyadh,a major tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia. From this experience, the authordraws conclusions as to the key aspects required for successful research. Theseinclude inquisitiveness, patience, and perseverance on the part of the clinician,along with a nurturing and supportive environment and appropriate financial,emotional, and administrative institutional support. The importance ofcollaboration and, finally, the need for appropriate data collection and followingthe Belmont principles should be emphasized.The author strongly believes that the answer to the question “Can clinicians beeffective researchers?” is a most definitive “yes.”Keywords: Clinical research, history of medicine.With special permission to reprint from the Journal of Islamic Medical Association of NorthAmerica (JIMA) 42;2010-9-14.Faroque Ahmad Khan, MB, MACPProfessor of MedicineSUNY at Stony Brook, New York, New YorkMaster, American College of PhysiciansConsultant and ChairInstitutional Review Board- King Fahd Medical CityRiyadh, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaE-mail: faroquekhan@yahoo.comFIMA YearBook 2009127