On November 1, 2018, College of Pharmacy in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD) conducted a Pre-conference workshop titled ‘Evidence-Based Pharmacy Practice Model for the UAE’. This was part of the 7th International conference of Evidence-based healthcare, held at Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, Ajman. The workshop participants were students and practitioners from the pharmacy and other health sciences.
During the workshop, The Dean Prof. Sherief Khalifa (Workshop Chair) introduced the speakers and highlighted the importance of evidence-based practice in attaining high-quality healthcare delivery.
Dr. Mohamed Hisham, Clinical Staff Pharmacist, CCAD listed the challenges in evidence-based pharmacy practice and stressed upon the importance of processing evidence-based literature and measuring the magnitude and strength of evidence using ‘Relative Risk Reduction’, ‘Absolute Risk Reduction’ and ‘Number Needed to Treat’. He further elaborated the need for critical appraisal of clinical trial evidence and applying them in day-to-day practice much earlier and not to wait for it to become part of published guidelines if it benefits the patients and it is of scientific merit.
Dr. Dixon Thomas, Chair and Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy signified the transformation of ‘Drug information pharmacist’ to ‘Evidence-based pharmacist’ and emphasized the need for guidelines made by pharmacists, for pharmacists being primary audience. He further added, “Instead of supporting evidence-based practice by providing drug information, why not focus on converting our practice to evidence-based”?
Dr. Subish Palaian, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, coordinated a ‘small group activity’ wherein the participants were grouped into five cohorts, each consisting of 7-8 participants, and each cohort after discussion with their team members identified the need for evidence-based guidelines for pharmacy practitioners in community, hospital and clinical pharmacy settings.