On behalf of the Singapore Medical Association (SMA), I am pleased to announce the following recipients of the 2017 SMJ Best Research Paper Award:

First Prize
Prompt use of mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: the MECCA study report
Anantharaman V, Ng BL, Ang SH, Lee CY, Leong SH, Ong ME, Chua SJ, Rabind AC, Anjali NB, Hao Y Singapore Med J 2017; 58(7): 424-431

Second Prize
Gender differences in major depressive disorder: findings from the Singapore Mental Health Study
Picco L, Subramaniam M, Abdin E, Vaingankar JA, Chong SA Singapore Med J 2017; 58(11): 649-655

Third Prize
Concordance between core needle biopsy and surgical specimen for oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status in breast cancer
Asogan AB, Hong GS, Arni Prabhakaran SK Singapore Med J 2017; 58(3): 145-149

The award winners received a commemorative trophy and certificate, which were presented at the SMA Annual Dinner held at The Regent Singapore on May 12, 2018.

The following criteria were adopted by the judging panel in determining the winning articles:
(1) the paper with the most potential impact on clinical practice;
(2) the paper with the most rigorous study design/research methodologies;
(3) the paper with comprehensive data analysis and balanced discussion; and
(4) the quality of the data interpretation.

We thank our panel of judges for their diligent and conscientious efforts:
Initial evaluation:
January to June papers: Prof Fong Kok Yong, Dr Lawrence Lee Soon-U, Prof Wong Wai Keong
July to December papers: Dr Joshua P Loh, Prof Quak Seng Hock, A/Prof Tan Su-Ming
Final judging:
Prof Tan Eng King, Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Prof Teo Eng Kiong


A/Prof Kian-Keong Poh
Editor-in-Chief
Singapore Medical Journal