Region-Specific Data is Critical to Best Treat Patients in the Gulf

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Researching Region’s Unique Health Challenges to Improve Medical Care

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi are contributing to the national efforts to build a clearer picture of the region’s health issues to guide the development of new, innovative care options.

Most advanced medical research is conducted in the United States and Europe, with researchers focusing on the health challenges faced by the western population. This approach has led to a disparity in the quantity and quality of population data available between the Middle East and the West. Researchers at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi are looking to level the playing field by investigating the specific health challenges facing the hospital’s patients and people of Abu Dhabi.

“An important focus of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s research programs is identifying unique risk factors, including genetic characteristics, which increase the risk for chronic conditions. Building comprehensive data sets and gaining a more detailed picture of the local population will allow us to tailor our therapies and treatments to their specific needs,” said Dr. Murat Tuzcu , Chair Academic Officer at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Conducting research on the prevalence and cause of disease is the first step to being able to tailor therapies and treatments to better suit the needs of the local population, improving outcomes and enhancing the patient experience as they receive better, more efficient care.

“It is important to first understand a problem before solving it. Studies show that the more research an institution carries out, the better the clinical outcomes for its patients. Our strong research focus means that Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is able to attract clinicians motivated by driving patient care forward,” said Dr. Jorge Canedo, Research Administrator at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

The hospital was designated as a human subject research facility by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health in 2016, and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi established its Research Ethics Committee to oversee its research projects in the same year. The committee has approved 25 research projects in 2018, bringing the total number running in the hospital to 55. As part of its efforts to support medical research, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has partnered with a number of other academic institutions in order to collaborate on research projects and support a growing research sector. 

“Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s research program already has strong ties with other institutions in Abu Dhabi that are doing basic research, such as New York University Abu Dhabi and Khalifa University. These partnerships mean we will be able to bring research out of the lab and into a clinical setting – benefiting our patients greatly, now and well into the future,” explained Dr. Canedo.

Research activities at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi are overseen by the hospital’s Academic Office. The hospital employs administrators and research nurse coordinators to assist physicians with complex research projects. Researchers at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi published 137 papers in 2017 and 89 papers in the first half of 2018.