Lucknow: In a significant step towards strengthening evidence-based medical research, the Research Cell of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS), Lucknow, organised a one-day sensitization workshop on Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis at the Conference Hall of the Administrative Building.
The workshop was conducted under the patronage of Prof. (Dr.) C. M. Singh, Director, RMLIMS, with co-patronage from Dr. Pradyumna Singh, Dean, and Dr. Vikram Singh, Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS). The primary objective of the programme was to enhance the research methodology skills, critical appraisal abilities, and scientific evidence synthesis capacity of faculty members.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are globally recognised as the highest level of scientific evidence, forming the foundation of clinical guidelines, health policies, and treatment decisions. Keeping this in view, the workshop emphasised not only theoretical understanding but also practical, hands-on training.
The academic sessions were conducted by eminent resource persons including Prof. Balendra Pratap Singh, Prof. Raghuvar Dayal Singh, and Prof. Hardeep Singh Malhotra, who are widely known for their expertise in research methodology, epidemiology, and biostatistics. The sessions covered key aspects such as formulating research questions using the PICO framework, literature search strategies across databases like MEDLINE and CENTRAL, study selection, and data extraction.
Advanced sessions focused on assessment of risk of bias, interpretation of heterogeneity, analysis of forest plots, statistical principles of meta-analysis, and evaluation of evidence quality using the GRADE approach. Interactive discussions and hands-on demonstrations enabled participants to practically apply these concepts in their own research work.
Addressing the gathering, Director Prof. (Dr.) C. M. Singh highlighted that high-quality evidence synthesis strengthens clinical excellence, academic credibility, and the institute’s role in informed policy-making. Dean Dr. Pradyumna Singh underscored the growing importance of systematic reviews in postgraduate research and scientific publications.
On the occasion, Dr. Subrat Chandra, Executive Registrar, stated that systematic reviews and meta-analyses are vital tools for generating reliable, high-quality evidence that helps shape effective health policies. CMS Dr. Vikram Singh emphasised that a sound understanding of these methodologies is essential for clinicians to ensure evidence-based and patient-centred care.
The workshop was meticulously organised by the RMLIMS Research Cell. Dr. Amit Kaushik, Associate Dean (Research Cell), served as Organising Chairperson, while Dr. Ajay Kumar Verma, Head, Department of Respiratory Medicine, acted as Co-Organising Chairperson. Dr. K. K. Yadav, Deputy Dean (Research–PG), coordinated the programme as Organising Secretary.
Support in academic and administrative arrangements was provided by Dr. Milli Sengar, Deputy Dean (Research–Faculty), Dr. Sonakshi Srivastava, Deputy Dean (Research–UG & Nursing), and Dr. Anurag Srivastava, Deputy Dean (Research–SS & PhD), who served as Co-Organising Secretaries. Financial management of the event was handled by Dr. Anamika Chandra, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, as Treasurer.
Faculty members from various departments participated enthusiastically in the workshop. The Research Cell reaffirmed its commitment to promoting quality research and evidence-based medicine at RMLIMS through continued capacity-building initiatives in the future.
