Interesting scientific programme being finalized for 6th National Conference on Medical Journals

Being organized by PAME in collaboration with UHS and EMAME scientific highlights includes invited lectures, panel discussion

Over two dozen Pre-conference workshops also being
organized in medical institutions all over the country

Main Conference at UHS on October 21st, Post conference
session at UOL on October 22nd 2024

LAHORE: The scientific committee of 6th National Conference on Medical Journals headed by Prof. Jamshed Akhtar is busy in organizing an interesting scientific programme for the conference. Being held at University of Health Sciences Lahore on October 21st 2024, it is being organized by Pakistan Association of Medical Editors (PAME) in collaboration with UHS and Eastern Mediterranean Association of Medical Editors (EMAME). The scientific programme will consist of invited lectures, panel discussion while a special session has been organized to highlight the difficulties faced and accomplishments by the newly launched medical journals. Editors of these journals are being identified who will participate in this panel discussion.

President EMAME Prof. Farhad Handjani, Vice President EMAME Prof. Behrooz Astaneh, former Presidents of World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) Dr. Farrokh Habibzadeh from Iran, another former President of WAME Prof. Peush Sahni from India besides M.B. Rokni former Vice President at large EMAME, Prof.Ahmed Bader a distinguished Editor from Saudi Arabia are being invited to make presentation through Video conference online. Prof. Khalid Khan former Editor of British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at present faculty member at University of Granada Spain will be the invited guest speaker in the inaugural session. President PM&DC Prof.Rizwan Taj, Chairman of the Journals Evaluation and Recognition Committee in PM&DC Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal, representatives from Higher Education Commission and World Health Organization office in Pakistan are also being invited to participate in the conference. A representative from WHO EMRO Cairo with which EMAME is affiliated, has also been requested to participate in the conference and make a presentation either in person or through Video presentation. The programme is being given final touches and will be finalized in the first week of October 2024.

Prof. Ahsan Waheed Rathore Vice Chancellor of UHS has been very kind and has provided immense help and assistance in organizing the conference. The UHS administration has not only provided its venue but also audiovisual arrangements, IT support and limited accommodation for the faculty at UHS Guest House. Prof.Nadia Naseem President-elect of PAME who is also Pro- Vice Chancellor of UHS is the focal person for the conference at UHS. She is also the focal person for CME courses run and managed by UHS in collaboration with PAME. So far six batches of Certificate in Medical Editing and two batches of Advance Certificate Course in Medical Editing leading to Diploma in Medical Journalism have qualified and thus provided valuable human resource for the editing of medical journals which has contributed a lot in promoting the discipline of medical journalism in Pakistan.
Over two dozen Pre-Conference Workshops are being organized on important topics at various medical institutions all over the country. Some have already been held while others are planned in the coming weeks. The details of these pre-conference workshops already held and planned so far are as under:

1. Services Institute of Medical Sciences. Quantitative Methods and Scientific Writing Skills using Gen AI. (Already held on August 31st 2024.)
2. King Edward Medical University. Use of Artificial Intelligence and other AI Tools in Research. (Already held on September 5th 2024) Facilitator:
3. King Edward Medical University, Lahore Navigating the intersection: Journalism, Mental Health and Suicide Reporting (Held on Sept. 10th 2024)
4. CMH Medical College, Lahore, Scientific Writing and Quality in Publications (Planned on September 20th 2024)
5. Lahore Medical & Dental College. Writing with integrity Mastering ICMJE Guidelines for Authors and Reviewers. (Planned on 18th October 2024).
6. Shalamar Medical & Dental College, Lahore. From Data to Publication: Mastering Medical Research, Writing with Ethical Integrity. (Planned on October 4th 2024).
7. UCMD University of Lahore. (Planned on 26 Sept., 2024)
8. Lahore General Hospital, Lahore Mendeleyh Magic: A Hands on workshop on Referencing like a pro for research articles.
9. Akhtar Saeed Medical College Lahore.(Planned on 18th October 2024).
10. Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad.
11. Services Institute of Medical Sciences. Second Workshop. (Planned on 17 October 2024)
12. Lahore Medical and Dental College Lahore.
13. Allama Iqbal Medical Colleges, Lahore. Scientific Writing and Quality in Publications (Planned in first week of October 2024)
    There will be a post conference session at University of Lahore on October 22nd 2024. The speakers and their topics are as under:
14. How to Get Published: A Guide for Early Career Researchers: Shaukat Ali Jawaid Secretary EMAME
15. The Importance of Peer Review: Ensuring Quality and Credibility in Medical Research: Prof. Jamshed Akhtar Editor Journal Surgery Pakistan
16. Understanding Impact Factors, h-index, and Beyond Research Metrics: Prof. Akhtar Sherin Chief Editor KMUJ
17. The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Editing and Publishing: Dr. Masood Jawaid Associate Editor PJMS
    This will be followed by panel discussion. The panelists are Prof. Nadia Naseem, Prof. Adeela Shahid, Prof. Tayyaba Waseem, Prof. Kamran Khalid, Prof. Gulfareen Waheed and Dr. Farhat Ijaz.
    A general body meeting of PAME is scheduled to be held on Sunday October 20th at 6.00 PM at UHS in the evening which will be followed by a contributory dinner for the faculty and organizers. Prof. S. H. Waqar is the current President and Prof. Nazeer Khan is General Secretary of PAME. For further details, please visit the conference website contact Prof. Nadia Naseem at UHS e-mail: headpathology@uhs.edu.pk