Dr. Sunita Chhapola Shukla
Medical science has evolved over centuries and decades by scientific innovations,
research, and academics. Research helps us in searching for answers in a systematic
and scientific way. It is heartening that great volumes of clinical work exist, but
it is a challenging task to assimilate, review, and draw conclusion from this crucial
information.
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) helps to improve patient care and outcomes by providing
high-level evidence of scientific data. Published reviews and online evidence-based
guidelines offer excellent understanding of the clinical literature. Most of the research
teachings lack simplicity of language, are not designed for easy understanding by
clinicians, and deal the topic in great depths, which is not needed by most students
and practicing clinicians. It is commonly believed that only those on the teaching
faculty of medical colleges can do research, whereas those involved in private clinical
practice cannot. Many private practitioners treat a vast number of patients and can
significantly contribute to medical knowledge. With this great treasure of clinical
material at their disposal, they are in a position to conduct meaningful clinical
research, provided they keep thorough records of patients they see, desire to do research,
and acquire basic training and understanding of clinical research methods.
I strongly believe that every practicing clinician must understand the fundamental
basics of research and role of biostatistics. This is necessary to enable them evaluate
the research studies presented in medical literature and at scientific conferences.
It is this ability that can help them intelligently transfer relevant research into
their own clinical practice for the benefit of their patients.
The Indian Society of Otology (ISO) is a professional organization comprising ENT
(ear-nose-throat) surgeons with special interest in the fields of otology, otoneurology,
implantation otology, and allied specialties. It came into existence in September
1991, Chennai under the leadership of Dr K. K. Ramalingam and has 1,600 members. Annals of Otology and Neurotology (AON) is an official publication of ISO.
The responsibility to promote global health by publishing medical research literature
with high ethical and scientific principles lies with the editors of medical journals.
The AON team has a vision to achieve excellence in academics and clinical work with
the goal of imparting academic pursuit among medical students, clinicians, and practitioners.
AON shall be dedicated to high ethical and scientific principles to publish peer-reviewed
articles on all subspecialties of otology, including neurotology, implantation otology,
endoscopic ear surgery, lateral skull base, cosmetic reconstruction, basic sciences,
molecular otology, tinnitus, and oncology. It will provide free online access to all
the articles to educate the scientific community, help in clinical decision making,
and thus improve the quality of health care worldwide.
