The Ministry of Health (MOH) represented by the Research & Ethical Committee (REC) of the Directorate General of Human Resources Development (DGHRV) organized today (Wednesday) the second Scientific Research Day Forum. The workshop was held under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Ali Talib Al Hanai, MOH’s Undersecretary for Planning Affairs at the Institute of Health Sciences Auditorium.

More than 80 participants from the MOH different Health Institutes as well from the Sultanate Nursing departments attended the forum. The event offered an opportunity to share research findings of PhD Omani staff and their implications and applications to enhance education and practice, search research priorities. It further aimed at updating participants on online submission of proposals.

Dr. Mohamed Al Riyami, DGHRD REC’s Chairperson emphasized in his welcome speech the significance of scientific research and developing the research skills of the academics. Dr. Al Riyami also stressed on the necessity of employing mechanisms to apply the research findings effectively in serving patients as well as developing medical education methods in the Sultanate.

Dr. Al Riyami added that the educators have to rise to the challenges and meet the expectations of both students and society hence, the MOH has taken this seriously through better preparation of faculty at the highest level of qualification. He declared that the total Omanization rate currently stands at 48%, and that by 2020 it will reach 53% with almost 60 faculty at PhD level.

The workshop included lectures on online submission of research proposals and main challenges encountered by researchers, Academic Research priorities at the MOH.

Six main researches and their findings were presented during the forum that were prepared by PhD Omani graduates from number of international universities. The topics of these researches touched upon Chronic Kidney failure in Oman, predictors of depression among adult Omani women, Alcohol & substance use and perceived behavioral control & behavioral intention among Omani Higher Education students, in addition to attitudes towards the implementations of Evidence-based Practices among Omani nurses’ leaders and staff nurses.