Centre for Evidence-Based Sports Medicine and Science

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Centre for Evidence-Based Sports Medicine and Science

Integrating Evidence–Based Medicine (EBM) with patients’ own values and preferences is the basis of good clinical decision-making. EBM is the “conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about individual patients”. This means “integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research” (Sacket et al. 2000). 

Qualitative research, including patients’ stories, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and evidence-based clinical guidelines are key to the application of best evidence in clinical practice, and we provide clinicians with skilled and targeted support (including supporting the development of Clinical Guidelines) to underpin our evidence-based and compassionate approach to clinical care.

Even scientifically ‘robust’ research evidence has a history and a context. It may be inherently uncertain, incomplete, and open to multiple interpretations. It sits better in some contexts than others. And it competes for our attention with many other issues, some of which are extremely important. (Greenhalgh, 2018: Chapter 2 Evidence. How to Implement Evidence-Based Healthcare)

The Aspetar Centre for Evidence-Based Sports Medicine and Science project aims to provide clinicians with the tools to access, appraise and apply the best available sports medicine and science evidence when they provide healthcare to athletes. Aspetar delivers several profession-specific and interprofessional journal clubs and lecture series to allow healthcare professionals to discuss, debate and learn.


Access to published research and repositories  

Many healthcare professionals and scientists at Aspetar have access to university libraries through adjunct academic appointments (e.g., Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar), while all employees have free access to a vast electronic library through the Qatar National Library. Through its electronic health recordkeeping system, Aspetar provides all its healthcare professionals with direct access to the evidence-based repositories ‘UpToDate’ and ‘Lexicomp’.
Clinical Guidelines

Aspetar’s Clinical Guideline and Pathway Committee provides oversight to the Aspetar Clinical Guidelines process (development and implementation). Clinical Guideline Development Groups (GDGs), with subject matter expertise, develop Aspetar’s Clinical Guidelines through a rigorous process of evidence synthesis and peer review. The Aspetar guidelines are available here

The Director of Medical Education represents Aspetar on the Qatar National Clinical Guidelines and Pathway Committee and chairs the Aspetar Clinical Guidelines and Pathway Committee.
 

We have a vibrant Medical Education research project collaboration with Prof Evert Verhagen, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) – like Aspetar, one of 11 IOC Research Centres for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health. Ms. Faten Smiley and Dr Sofie Nelis, both in our Medical Education Team, are currently pursuing PhD-studies on the impact of CME/CPD and implementing evidence-based medicine (focusing on Shared Decision Making) in Sports Medicine.