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:
Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT):
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
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
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
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
