With the mission of providing a centre where teaching and learning of clinical skills can take place in an atmosphere conducive to inculcate spirit of continuing professional development, this centre was first entrusted, by the Vice Chancellor of Dow University of Health Sciences, Prof. Masood Hameed with the task of training Doctors, Medical Students and Para-medical personnel for relief work in the earthquake affected areas in October 2005. The first training session was on handling MASS CASUALTIES.

After that, to-date more than Two Hundred (200) national & international level hands-on workshops & more than Three Hundred (300) CME Lectures, including national & international seminar, conferences, and guest lectures by renowned authorities on different subjects have been conducted at the Professional Development Centre.

Professional Development Centre is located on the 4th floor of new Academic Block of Dow Medical College campus, with the facility of simulated ICU, simulated Operation Theater, Laparoscopic/Endoscopic suites, three training halls, Conference Room with the ability to record simulation sessions and video conferencing. All the halls and suites are equipped with the latest audio-visual and multimedia systems. The department is supported by a dedicated and well trained team consisting of senior instructors, instructors, supporting staff and headed by two directors:-

Dr. M. Khalid Siddiqui, a Senior General Surgeon is Director (Surgical & Allied section),

Dr. M. Saleem Ilyas, Associate Professor Neurology & Director Continuing Medical Education is Director (Medical & Allied section).

In addition to hands on workshops, CME (Continuing Medical Education) programmes viz lectures, conferences, seminars and symposia are regularly held on different topics.

With the help of a very strong university faculty and facilitators from other educational institutions, the Centre aims to fulfil the needs of skills-development for several levels including undergraduate medical students, postgraduates, faculty, family physicians, nurses, para medics as well as the general public.

Some of the skills that have been developed at different level include:-

Undergraduate Level: To better prepare the students for their first patient encounter a fresh MBBS graduate should have skills in giving Injections, Passing N/G tubes, Urethral Catheterization, CPR (BLS), Basic Surgical etiquettes, OT protocols, Communication Skills etc.

Postgraduate Level: Core competencies & specialty-specific skills, common skills-CPR (BLS), CVP Lines Arterial Puncturing, Tapping ascites, Pleural Aspiration & biopsy, LP, ICU skills (Ventilator Management) Research Skills, Essential Burn Care Course, Basic Laparoscopic Skills, Disaster Management, Time Management, and Leadership skills etc.

Faculty Level: Advanced Skills (ACLS, PALS, ALSO, PTC) Neonatal Resuscitation, Micro Surgery (Temporal bone, Dissection), Disaster Management / Administrative Skills, Advanced Teaching Skills, Endoscopies Upper GI Endoscopy and Lower GI Endoscopy & Laparoscopic Surgery and other Faculty Development Programs.

Nurses / Para Medics Level: Trauma Care, CPR, Ambulance Personnel Skills, Interpersonal Relation Skills, Emotional Intelligence Skills, Obstetrics Skills etc.

Skills for General Public (Health Related): How to take BP, Pulse & Temperature properly, Check Blood Sugar by Glucometer, Nebulize at home, skills required in care of bed ridden patients, How to keep intake and output chart at home, and other awareness programs like hand washing etc.