CPSP’s Drive Towards Innovation – Advancing Assessment, Education, and Engagement

By Khalid Masud Gondal

Affiliations

1. President, College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan

doi: 10.29271/jcpsp.2025.07.813

The College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) is entering a dynamic phase of transformation, driven by inno- vation and a renewed pledge to quality in postgraduate medical education. CPSP is implementing forward-looking reforms aimed at aligning its systems with global standards to uplift the assessment process, improve learning out- comes, and  reinforce  academic  engagement.

The initiative of CPSP to implement simulation-based assessment is among the most noteworthy developments. Although still in its early stages, this represents a significant change in the evaluation of clinical competence. Simulation offers a standardised, objective, and safe environment for assessing various clinical and procedural skills. By reducing variability and decreasing patient risk, simulation ensures fairness and reliability in high-stakes examinations. The ongoing ground-work for simulation-based assessment reflects CPSP’s commitment to evidence-based evaluation and international benchmarking. This initiative is also being linked to educational research, enabling CPSP to generate evidence on assessment quality, learner performance, and best practices in evaluation.

In parallel, CPSP is also exploring the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, and analytics into its educational and assessment processes. AI-enabled platforms are being considered to streamline feedback mechanisms, personalise learning analytics, and improve decision-making in progression and supervision. For residents, AI may soon provide tailored study resources and formative insights, ultimately supporting more  individualised  and  effective  learning  experiences.

A key educational reform is the overhauling of workshops offered to faculty and trainees. CPSP has introduced pre- and post-tests to objectively measure learning outcomes and improve instructional quality. This evidence-based approach strengthens continuing professional development by encou- raging reflective learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Understanding the importance of academic engagement, CPSP is actively working to improve communication with both residents and supervisors. Digital systems are being upgraded, feedback channels are being streamlined, and new forums for structured dialogue are being introduced. These efforts aim to foster transparency, build trust, and create a more responsive academic  environment  and  culture.

CPSP is also placing strong and strategic emphasis on strengthening research and scholarly activity across its post- graduate programs. By promoting a culture of inquiry and critical thinking, CPSP is encouraging residents and fellows to engage with evidence, question practices, and contribute meaningfully to academic discourse. This focus is vital for developing clinician-scholars capable of driving healthcare improvement  through  research-informed  practice.

Together, these innovations—ranging from simulation-based assessments to AI integration, structured educational workshops, enhanced stakeholder communication, and research capacity-building—reveal CPSP’s strategic vision. While many of these initiatives are still evolving, they reflect a strong institutional commitment to modernising medical education in Pakistan. With sustained effort and collaboration, CPSP is not only shaping more competent physicians but also laying the foundation  for a  resilient,  future-ready  healthcare  system.