WCM-Q workshop strengthens skills in evidence-based medicine

The Institute for Population Health (IPH) at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) recently hosted a two-day workshop to help health professionals strengthen their understanding of evidence-based healthcare.

Titled “Introduction to Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Principles and Practice,” the workshop introduced participants to the principles of evidence-based medicine and the methods used to conduct and interpret systematic reviews and meta-analyses. It also provided practical guidance in designing and conducting a systematic review. The workshop attracted more than 35 participants from across the region.

The best available scientific evidence comes from the critical analysis and synthesis of all relevant studies rather than individual research alone. Systematic reviews, including meta-analyses, provide invaluable guidance that underpins evidence-based healthcare practice and promotes safe, effective, and patient- and community-centered care.

On the first day of the workshop, participants were introduced to evidence-based medicine, including primary and secondary research, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and the steps involved in conducting systematic reviews. In addition, the program covered formulating research questions using the PICO/PICOTS framework, conducting literature searches and screening, data extraction and assessing study quality and risk of bias. 

The second day focused on synthesizing and reporting systematic reviews, including differences between qualitative and quantitative synthesis and an overview of PRISMA guidelines. Sessions also addressed critical appraisal of systematic reviews with and without meta-analysis, principles of meta-analysis and meta-regression and approaches to assessing evidence. Participants also explored techniques for appraising published systematic reviews and developing protocols. 

Workshop speakers included Dr. Karima Chaabna, assistant professor of clinical population health sciences and manager of population health research at the IPH; Dr. Amit Abraham, assistant professor of clinical population health sciences and assistant director of the IPH; Dr. Sonia Chaabane, an epidemiologist and senior specialist in population health research at the IPH and instructor in population health sciences; and Ms. Anupama Jithesh, research projects coordinator at the IPH.

Dr. Sohaila Cheema, associate professor of clinical population health sciences and assistant dean for the IPH, said: “Systematic reviews play an important role in helping health professionals identify, select, appraise, and synthesize primary study data extracted from published literature in an unbiased way to answer a specific research question. This produces reliable scientific evidence essential to ensuring evidence-based healthcare practice and patient-centered care. We are extremely pleased by the level of interest received in the workshop from participants within Qatar and across the region.”

The workshop was aimed at physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, allied health practitioners, researchers, educators and administrators. It is accredited locally by the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Healthcare Professions – Accreditation Section and internationally by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

For more information or to register for upcoming IPH activities, visit https://qatar-weill.cornell.edu/institute-for-population-health/upcoming-activities