A MULTICENTRIC COMPARATIVE STUDY IDENTIFYING ‘RESEARCH OBSTACLES’ AMONG POSTGRADUATE RESIDENTS OF DIFFERENT ‘MEDICAL & DENTAL INSTITUTES OF BALOCHISTAN AND PUNJAB’

Objective: To compare the research obstacles including lack of proper training, previous exposure, time management, motivation, faculty research knowledge, skill, social constrains and lack of interest among post-graduate residents of Balochistan with those of Children’s Hospital, Lahore. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Dental College, Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences, Quetta, Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences & Institute of Public Health of Balochistan, from Mar to May 2018, and Children’s Hospital Lahore, Lahore, from Jul to Aug 2017. Methodology: A total of 72 postgraduates from three different institutes of Balochistan and 90 from Children’s Hospital, Lahore were recruited in this study. The questionnaire was distributed to the participants of both institutions; data was collected & entered into SPSS version 22. Results: Female predominance (64.4%) was observed in post-graduates of Children’s Hospital, Lahore in comparison to institutions from Balochistan while there were 61% males. Majority (90%) post-graduate residents of Balochistan recognized time management, deficient laboratory and other facilities followed by lack of mentoring by faculty 59 (83%) and lack of motivation 60 (84%) as the most important factors that hinder their scientific activities. Additionally, 91 (86.6%) postgraduates of Children’s Hospital, Lahore suggested lack of proper research training and 87 (83.3%) suggested lack of previous exposure as the main hindering factors in their research work. Conclusion: Post-graduate residents of diverse economic, educational and cultural backgrounds present different perceptions about research hurdles. However, those from both provinces identified that lack of..........