Below is a list of useful links for our members.
1. APPNA Pediatrics Official Channels
Facebook Page | Facebook Group | LinkedIn | TikTok | X (formerly Twitter) | YouTube
2. Pakistan: Licensing, Education & Professional Bodies
Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC): Primary regulatory body for licensing in Pakistan. Physicians must register here for legal practice
College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP): Oversees postgraduate programs like FCPS, fellowships, and subspecialty training in Pakistan
Pakistan Medical Research Council (PMRC): Facilitates medical research through funding, guidelines, and collaborations in Pakistan
Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination: Develops national health policies, regulations, and coordinates public health initiatives
Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA): A central organization advocating for child health, pediatric education, and policy in Pakistan
National Institute of Health Islamabad (NIH Pakistan): Conducts research, disease surveillance, and advises on national public health policies
Health Regulatory Authority (HRA): Sets standards for healthcare establishments, ensuring regulatory compliance in Pakistan
Aga Khan University (AKU): Offers top-tier medical education and research programs, including residencies and fellowships
Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centers: A leading cancer treatment and research facility providing high-quality care regardless of patients’ ability to pay.
Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT): A premier institution offering free urology, nephrology, and organ transplant services in Pakistan.
Shifa International Hospitals Limited: Provides advanced medical services and training programs for local and international professionals
Indus Hospital & Health Network: Known for free-of-cost healthcare; also offers volunteer, training, and research opportunities
Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC): A major teaching and research hospital in Karachi with robust residency and fellowship programs
The Citizens Foundation (TCF): A non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality education to underprivileged children across Pakistan
ChildLife Foundation: Focused on improving pediatric emergency care, providing free treatment to children in public hospitals across the country
Khyber Institute of Child Health: An academic medical institute providing training and health services, dedicated to improving child health through education and patient care.
Bolan University of Medical & Health Sciences (BUMHS): The official website of a government-chartered university that provides education and training for medical and allied health sciences professionals in the region.
People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative Balochistan (PPHI-B): A non-profit organization’s website detailing its mission and work to manage and improve primary healthcare facilities and services across Balochistan.
University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore: An official website for the first national pediatric institution established to produce leaders in child health through quality education, research, and training for medical, nursing, and allied health personnel.
Sindh Institute of Child Health and Neonatology: A government-established institute that provides outstanding, comprehensive child health and neonatology services, conducts research, and trains the next generation of pediatric professionals across Sindh.
3. USA: Licensing, Residency & Certification
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG): Certifies IMGs who wish to pursue residency or fellowship in the USA
United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE): Official hub for USMLE Steps 1, 2, and 3, required for medical licensure in the USA
American Board of Pediatrics (ABP): Certifies pediatricians and oversees Maintenance of Certification (MOC) in pediatrics
American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS): An umbrella group for physician specialty boards in the USA, ensuring standardized certification
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME): Accredits residency and fellowship programs, guaranteeing quality training standards in the USA
Mededia: A YouTube channel created by a medical graduate, offering a wealth of highly useful information, guidance, and resources specifically about medical residency and training.
4. Residency & Fellowship Application Tools (USA)
Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS): Centralized application portal used by residency/fellowship programs across the USA
National Resident Matching Program (NRMP): Facilitates “The Match”, pairing applicants and programs through a rank-based matching system
Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database (FREIDA): Database that lets applicants search accredited residency/fellowship programs by specialty or location
Residency Explorer (AAMC): Compares your credentials with past matched applicants to specific programs, refining search strategies.
5. Residency & Position Swap Platforms
Match A Resident: Curates residency program lists tailored to an applicant’s specific profile (including IMGs)
Residency Swap: Connects current residents looking to swap positions or find new residency openings quickly
6. Clinical Rotations, Electives & Observerships
Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO): AAMC-managed portal for short-term electives and clinical rotations, accessible to both U.S. and IMGs
MedClerkships: Offers paid clinical experiences, observerships, and externships in U.S. hospitals, focusing on IMGs
AMOpportunities: Provides a user-friendly platform for finding clerkships, rotations, and shadowing opportunities in the USA
7. Medical Calculators & Clinical Tools
MedCalc: A wide range of medical calculators, reference tables, and scoring tools for various specialties
MDCalc: Peer-reviewed clinical decision aids covering multiple areas, from cardiology to pediatrics
NeoFax by IBM Micromedex: Specialized in neonatal and pediatric drug dosing, vital for NICU/PICU settings
Pediatric Dosage Calculator (Global RPh): Simplifies medication dosing for pediatric patients, reducing errors in daily practice
Growth Charts (CDC): Official reference charts for tracking children’s height, weight, and head circumference
PediTools: Offers neonatal and pediatric calculators for growth percentiles, bilirubin charts, etc.
8. Training & Life Support Courses
AHA Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP): Evidence-based training for newborn resuscitation, critical for anyone dealing with neonates
AHA Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS): Teaches how to handle emergencies involving infants and children, from basic airway to cardiac events
AHA Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS): Covers urgent treatment protocols for adult cardiac arrest, arrhythmias, and emergency interventions
AHA Basic Life Support (BLS): The foundational CPR and AED training for all healthcare providers
9. Data Analysis & Statistical Software
R Project for Statistical Computing: Free and open-source programming language for statistical analysis, data visualization, and reproducible research
Python (NumPy, Pandas, SciPy): Widely used for data science, machine learning, and scripting tasks in clinical research
SPSS (IBM): User-friendly interface for descriptive stats, regressions, and advanced analysis; common in academic settings
Stata: Popular for epidemiological studies, advanced statistical modeling, and robust data management
JASP: A free, open-source alternative with an interface resembling SPSS; also supports Bayesian analysis
10. Free Online Education & Skill-Building
Khan Academy (Health & Medicine): Free micro-lectures on anatomy, physiology, and disease processes—great for quick revision
OpenWHO: Online courses on infectious diseases and outbreak responses, including certification options
Coursera (Medical Courses): University-partnered offerings on public health, global health, informatics, etc.
Harvard Online Medical Courses: Special programs covering emerging medical topics, some with continuing education credits
Stanford Medicine Online CME: Range of free and paid CME offerings from leading clinicians
ScholarRx: Interactive modules and question banks that can be tailored to medical school curricula
Amboss: Medical library + high-yield question banks, ideal for rapid reference and exam prep
Excel Easy: A comprehensive, free online resource offering step-by-step tutorials and numerous examples for mastering Microsoft Excel, making it a valuable skill-building tool for all members.
11. AI Tools & Machine Learning Platforms
ChatGPT (OpenAI): Drafts summaries or brainstorming prompts for research, though all clinical info must be verified
TensorFlow (Google): Building machine learning models for predictive analytics, image classification, etc. in health research
IBM Watson Health: Employs AI for complex patient data analysis, oncology decision support, and population health insights
12. Immunization & EPI Resources
Expanded Programme on Immunization (Pakistan): Official immunization schedules and updates specific to Pakistan’s vaccination strategies
CDC Vaccination Schedules: U.S. immunization guidelines across lifespan, plus catch-up schedules and vaccine-preventable disease info
WHO Immunization: Global immunization policies, coverage data, and resources for healthcare providers worldwide
13. Parent & Family Instruction Resources
HealthyChildren.org (AAP): Evidence-based articles, parenting tips, and child health guidance for families
Bright Futures (AAP): Comprehensive guidelines on preventive care, developmental milestones, and well-child visits
Vaccines.gov: Simplifies vaccine information for the public, including scheduling, benefits, and locations
14. High-Impact Pediatric Journals & Impact Factors
JAMA Pediatrics:
IF ~ 16–17
Focus: Broad pediatric research, clinical studies, public health, and policy
Acta Paediatrica:
IF ~ 3–4
Focus: International studies on child health, from neonatal to adolescent care
The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health:
IF ~ 36–37
Focus: High-impact studies on pediatric and adolescent medicine with global significance
Pediatrics (AAP):
IF ~ 7–8
Focus: Official AAP journal covering all fields of pediatric medicine and child health
Journal of Pediatrics:
IF ~ 4–5
Focus: Original research articles, reviews, and commentary across pediatric subspecialties
Archives of Disease in Childhood:
IF ~ 5–6
Focus: Global child health, neonatal care, and adolescence, published by BMJ
Pediatric Research:
IF ~ 3–4
Focus: Developmental biology, physiology, and pathophysiology in children
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology:
IF ~ 6–7
Focus: Research on allergies, asthma, and immunologic disorders in pediatrics
Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal:
IF ~ 2–3
Focus: Infectious diseases, epidemiology, vaccines, and clinical management in pediatrics
15. Pediatric-Focused Clinical Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): Advocacy, policy statements, research updates, and clinical guidance in pediatrics
Pediatric Care Online (AAP): Evidence-based decision support and reference for pediatric conditions and treatments
Pediatric Emergency Medicine Database (PEM Database): Rapid protocols, guidelines, and case studies in pediatric emergency scenarios
16. USMLE & Exam Preparation
United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE): Official portal for exam registration, updates, and policies (Steps 1, 2, 3)
USMLE Precautions & FAQs: Details permissible items, day-of-exam rules, and common queries
UWorld: Renowned question bank for USMLE, offering detailed explanations and performance tracking
AMBOSS: Combined medical library and question bank with high-yield content for boards
17. Comprehensive Resources for Medical Students, Residents & Attendings
UpToDate: Continuously updated summaries of clinical topics, commonly used in daily practice
DynaMed: Evidence-based, frequently updated reference for quick clinical decisions
BMJ Best Practice: Provides step-by-step guidelines for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention across specialties
Medscape: Medical news, drug references, CME modules, and case discussions in one platform
18. Job Search & Career Development
CareerMD: National job board and career fairs, matching physicians with employers
Indeed (Physician Jobs): Popular broad job board featuring a wide range of physician opportunities
Doximity Jobs: Physician-centric social network with job listings, salary estimates, and career tools
Physician Jobs (NEJM Career Center): Curated listings from the New England Journal of Medicine for various specialties
Physician Job Search (CareerBuilder): A general job board with a specialized section for physician roles
PracticeLink: Helps connect doctors with hospitals and clinics, including contract tips and career fairs
CompHealth (Locum Tenens & Permanent): Specializes in locum tenens and permanent placement, with guidance on reimbursement and licensing
Health eCareers: Aggregates healthcare-specific job postings, including physician roles across multiple specialties
Physician Employment (MGMA): Job board by the Medical Group Management Association, focusing on group practices
AMA Career Center: Offers physician-focused job listings, career advice, and resources from the American Medical Association
Glassdoor for Physicians: Employee reviews, salary data, and job openings, including in healthcare settings
LinkedIn (Physician Jobs): Professional networking platform; many employers post open positions for medical professionals
19. Practice Management & Financial Resources
Medical Group Management Association (MGMA): Offers practice management solutions, salary surveys, and networking for group practices
Physician Compare (CMS): Public-facing tool allowing patients to find and compare physicians, impacting reputation and reimbursements
Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP): U.S. hospital care data on costs, quality, and utilization—aids in financial and administrative decisions
American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA): Focuses on health informatics, showing how data systems and tech can boost practice efficiency
eClinicalWorks / athenahealth / Practice Fusion: Cloud-based EHRs and billing solutions that streamline practice workflows and revenue cycles
Medscape Malpractice Insurance Resource: Presents trends in malpractice claims, advice on reducing legal risks, and financial ramifications
20. Global Health & Major Research Platforms
World Health Organization (WHO): International guidelines, outbreak alerts, and data on public health priorities
National Institutes of Health (NIH): Major U.S. research funding agency with clinical guidelines and extensive biomedical databases
PubMed: Primary literature search engine for academic articles, vital for evidence-based practice
Cochrane Library: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that underpin evidence-based medicine globally
ClinicalTrials.gov: Repository of ongoing and completed clinical trials, helpful for research updates and patient referrals
The Lancet: High-impact peer-reviewed journal featuring cutting-edge clinical research and global health insights
