MANUSCRIPT CAMP: DEPARTMENT OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY

Dr Sydney Msonde, from the Directorate of Library Services, Technical Services, Research and Training, conducting a session on predatory journals during a five-day manuscript writing workshop for third-year residents, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Prof Deodatus Kakoko in a session on Publication ethics and authorship during a five-day manuscript writing workshop for third-year residents, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

The Obs/Gyn department: faculty and third-year residents after completion of the five-day manuscript writing workshop

The department of Obstetrics &Gynaecology held a manuscript writing workshop between 4^th– 8^th July 2022. The workshop was to equip and coach the final year MMed students from the department to transform their Master’s Thesis into publishable manuscripts. Twenty-six students attended the five-day workshop. Facilitators and mentors were members of the Obstetrics/Gynaecology department, Behavioural Sciences, Medical illustration, and Library.

The sessions covered topics from manuscript writing overview to specific sections like writing the specific sections, choosing a journal, the publication process, ethics of publications, authorship guidelines, reference management, predator journals, presenting research findings, poster design and many others. Students had ample time to re-think and structure their research findings on the most important findings and how to re-packaging. Students worked in groups and with mentors and supervisors. Their research topics had interesting topics that ranged from clinical audits, case reviews, observational studies, and quasi-experimental studies. The research projects used both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

Overall, it was an excellent opportunity for faculty and students to network, share knowledge and continue the work that has started and plant and nurture a culture to strive and publish their work. On the course/workshop evaluations google form questionnaire one participant wrote:

“The workshop gave me the confidence, knowledge, skills, and a strong will to publish my study as well as encouraged me to do more publications in the future. In a way, the experience strengthened my teamwork skills and made me appreciate the contributions of my colleagues to my carrier.”

The department was very pleased with the participation and we thank all who made this a success: Prof Deodatus Kakoko, Dr Msonde, Mr Jacob, and the Head of Department Dr Furaha August for this initiative. We thank our VC- Prof Andrea Pembe and DRP- Prof Bruno Sunguya for their support. We have set a 30% publication bar from the thesis in one year time.