Qatar Academic Health System Partnership Holds Biomedical and Clinical Research Lectures

Doha, November 22 (QNA) -Scientific research methodologies in the clinical and biomedical fields have been highlighted in the latest course jointly organized by Hamad Medical Corporation, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, and the Weill Cornell School of Graduate Studies (New York). The course, developed as an Academic Health System (AHS) initiative, is one of several courses offered which aims to educate health professionals on the basics of conducting clinical and biomedical research. Over 300 clinical, academic and research staff from across the AHS partner organizations attended the 24-lecture course, which focused on the fundamentals of clinical and biomedical research. Dean Emeritus and Professor of Pathology at Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences (New York), Dr. David P. Hajjar, who presided over the course and its development, said the course is primarily designed for those who have recently completed their doctorates or for people in their first ten years of research experience. "Young clinicians, academics, and researchers, gained a clear overview of research procedures, and how a proposed research question could be transformed into a fully realized scientific study that would ultimately add to an ever-improving healthcare landscape," said Dr. Hajjar. HMCs Chief of Scientific, Faculty and Academic Affairs, Professor Edward Hillhouse added that the course is helping to shape Qatars future generation of clinical researchers. "Clinical and biomedical research in the Middle East is a burgeoning field. Courses such as this provide an ideal forum for introducing new clinicians and novice researchers to the basics of research, helping participants to develop a solid foundation on the techniques and knowledge required to carry research disciplines into their future careers," he said. Themes covered in the course featured biostatistics in medical research, health information technology, translational informatics, drug development and the role of technology transfer. Interdisciplinary community-based scientific research, ethics in research, the foundations of clinical research and clinical trials, research proposals and presentations, collaborative science and building a research team were also highlighted in individual lectures. Qatars AHS is a dynamic nationwide network integrating research, education and clinical care to focus on improving patient care and delivering innovative healthcare solutions. The lecture series on clinical and biomedical research in Qatar aims to address national health priorities in line with the Qatar National Research Strategy. Eight member organizations working collaboratively in the AHS are HMC, WCMC-Q, Sidra Medical and Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, College of the North Atlantic-Qatar, the Primary Health Care Corporation, Qatar University and University of Calgary-Qatar. Qatars AHS is a first within the MENA region.(QNA)