An intriguing article recently appeared in the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery titled “Research – why bother?” (vol. 40, issue 12, page 1346, December 2011) written by G. Dimitroulis.
The article discusses of oral and maxillofacial surgery needs research to make itself known as a professional body and not as just a technical trade. A brief mention is made that dual degree programs place time pressures on trainees at the expense of research.
The author mentions how head and neck surgical oncology is shared by a number of surgical specialties with mutual interest.
The author states
“We cannot rely rely on the research experience of other surgical specialties if we are to secure the respect and trust of our medical and surgical colleagues from other disciplines who also have a mutual interest in head and neck oncology.”
The author goes on to say
“It is only through our diligent efforts to record and analyse our surgical experiences, and making these known to the world through journal publications, that we are able to consolidate our interests in various specialized areas of surgery such as cleft surgery, trauma, surgical oncology and implants and so on.”
The author says that all hospitals with oral and maxillofacial surgery units should strive to at least make the effort to collate data from various clinical audits that could potentially be put together as papers for publication.
The author states
“Regrettably, there are far too many operative procedures devised and promoted in clinical journals by experienced surgeons who have little appreciation of the fundamental importance of good research and evidence-based medicine”
The author is very critical that some are not practicing patience and have too short of a time frame when it comes to research.
The author recommends research interest groups are formed that can help teach and promote the tools and skills required to undertake and communicate research results.