Chest Research Foundation (CRF), an autonomous academic research organization in the field of respiratory diseases and is actively involved in creating new knowledge through research in asthma and COPD is conducting a one-day study on 1st February 2011 to investigate the most common ailments for which over 12,000 doctors from 22 states in India are expected to participate.

The enrollment process of the doctors for the study was initiated on 10th January 2011. The logistical planning and support for reaching out to the 12,000 doctors spread across the length and breadth of India which includes general physicians, physicians and pediatricians from across private clinics, private hospitals and Government hospitals has been provided by Cipla.

For the first time in India a study which has an involvement of over 500,000 patients is estimated to be obtained for the sample. The study has been named as the ‘Poseidon Study’ by CRF after the Greek God of sea and storms.

Based on the authorized methodology, the ‘Poseidon Study’ requires the doctors to record the various symptoms shown by each patient who visit them on a single day i.e. 1st February 2011. It would take the doctors less than half a minute to enter the required information during each patient consultation in a simple data capture sheet. This patient-wise data would then be collected and evaluated at CRF and the research findings are expected to be concluded in about six months.

Commenting on the Poseidon Study, Dr Sundeep Salvi, director, Chest Research Foundation said, “The Poseidon Study would be significant in establishing the most common ailments affecting people in India, the various disease hotspots, and the disease trend among various age groups across India. This will help us in understanding the current list of priority diseases, the existing healthcare infrastructure and whether the medical education system of India is sufficiently geared towards addressing these issues. The study, therefore, has the potential to change the approach and focus of the policy makers, medical professionals and the curriculum of medical education to meet the current healthcare requirements of India.”

Dr Komalkirti Apte, main co-ordinator for Poseidon Study, CRF added, “We have received tremendous response from the doctors and their eagerness to participate in this study has been overwhelming.”

Dr S. K Jindal, Professor and Head of Dept of Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care, PGI Chandigarh said, “As medical practitioners, we might be aware of an indicative pattern, but it is important to generate statistics and establish the trend. These statistics will be useful for policy makers to design and plan strategies for health care services as well focus on appropriate medical education programmes.”

Dr Jindal also added, “Similar studies using similar internationally validated methodology have been conducted in other countries like Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Singapore and Belgium. It is time that we in India generate this information too. The conclusions of the Poseidon Study would now be eagerly awaited.”