Over 150 SEHA Medical Residents, and Fellows Enrolled in a Clinical Research Training Program, Furthering the Region’s Research Capacity
A two-day workshop marking the inauguration of the Clinical Research Certificate (KU-SEHA CRC) training program, a Khalifa University collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, was launched at the Main Campus. Over 150 SEHA medical residents and fellows were enrolled in this clinical research training program, furthering the region’s research capacity
The launch ceremony was attended by Professor Sir John O’Reilly, President, Khalifa University, Dr. Ghanem Ali Al Hassani, Group Education Director and Research Director, SEHA. The inaugural event was also attended by Dr. Habiba Al Safar, Dean, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), Director of Biotechnology Center, and Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology, Dr. Yousof Al Hammadi, Senior Vice-President, Academic and Student Services, Assistant Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Associate Professor Electrical Engineering, and Dr. Waleed Alameri, Assistant Vice-President, Student Affairs and Outreach as well as faculty members and officials from SEHA and DoH – Abu Dhabi
Led by KU-SEHA CRC program director Dr. Abderrahim Oulhaj, Associate Professor, Public Health and Epidemiology, the inaugural workshop addressed the need for research and development (R&D) training in SEHA and the Department of Health (DoH) – Abu Dhabi, while equipping individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape.
Dr. Habiba Alsafar said: “We are delighted to host this workshop and provide the knowledge and necessary skills to conduct high-quality clinical research studies in the region. The KU-SEHA CRC program stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of Khalifa University, SEHA, and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi towards advancing healthcare and research excellence in the UAE. Aligned with the country’s goal to enhance healthcare research capabilities, the program, now in its second year, represents Khalifa University’s consistent collaboration with national and international organizations, marking a significant stride towards the advancement of clinical research and medical education.”
Dr. Oulhaj also outlined the program’s objectives and learning outcomes, the structure of the program, the mode of delivery, placing a strong emphasis on supervision and mentoring to ensure that the course offered personalized guidance throughout the program. Other topics focused on identifying the target population, conducting power and sample size calculations, and creating a statistical analysis plan. Participants learned how to address potential biases in clinical research, including different types of bias and confounding variables, and strategies to mitigate them.
Additionally, the workshop included ways to select the appropriate study design, performing literature search and addressing ethical considerations. Ethics of human experimentation, research integrity, and authorship ethics as well as Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and the process of submitting research proposals to the SEHA Institutional Review Board (IRB) were also discussed.
Alisha Roy
Science Writer
21 February 2024
