More than 25 healthcare professionals and researchers enhanced their skills at last week’s ‘Epidemiology & Public Health Research’ workshop hosted by Qatar Biobank, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, in collaboration with Qatar University and Imperial College London.
The multi-disciplinary two-day seminar explored epidemiology the branch of medicine that deals with the incidence, distribution and possible control of diseases to discuss various ways to present epidemiological data. Sessions were delivered by Dr. Neil Murphy, Dr. Queenie Chan, and Dr. Inga Prokopenko from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London.
Qatar Biobank continues to support Qatar Foundation’s mission to enhance national innovation and technology through medical research regarding prevalent health issues in Qatar and develop a culture of research in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Qatar Biobank’s collection of samples and information on the health and lifestyles of large numbers of the national population makes vital medical research possible for scientists in Qatar, the region, and the world.
"Through workshops such as ‘Epidemiology & Public Health Research’, Qatar Biobank aims to nurture the local medical research culture, by paving the way for breakthroughs that will ensure world-class personalised healthcare for Qatar’s citizens and long-term residents," said Dr. Hadi Abderrahim, Managing Director of Qatar Biobank.
In addition, tutorials on the aspects of epidemiology, the presentation of research grant proposals, and ways to design a study in this field, were also parts of the in-depth discussions during the workshop.
The Qatar Council of Health Practitioners Department accredited the recent ‘Epidemiology & Public Health’ workshop as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity, allowing participants to obtain 10.5 credit units.
"The Health Sciences Department at Qatar University is one of the earliest accredited CPD providers for healthcare practitioners in the country. Therefore, the department aims to identify gaps in professional practice and provide effective CPD programmes that enhance the knowledge, competencies and the performance of healthcare practitioners in Qatar for the overall benefit of society," Said Dr Mahmmoud Na'as from the Health Sciences Department at Qatar University.
The collection and analysis of DNA samples at Qatar Biobank complements the Qatar Genome Project, launched in 2013 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, with the aim of diagnosing diseases more accurately and hence implementing personalised treatment.