A Mini Masterclass for Members of Parliament

From the University of St. Andrews:

We understand that for many MPs, and special advisors, there is a huge demand on your time and, no matter your own pre-existing expertise, a need to quickly obtain even more knowledge in multiple areas.

We can help with one aspect of this. At the University we have a commitment to public engagement and service. We invite you to a free, one hour seminar designed to equip MPs and/or their staff on the most important aspects of evidence based medicine. This will cover:

• why evidence based medicine? – From opioid overuse to surgical mesh, how to stop medicine doing harm
• finding disease early – complicated and often counter-intuitive
• who to trust? – fact and fiction- how to assess health claims
• real world examples, based on previous political interests; for example: the age cervical screening should start at; and whether patients are protected from doctors’ conflicts of interest

This will be online. Members of staff are welcome.

Conversations with previously elected representatives suggest this information would have been useful, however if you wish other areas covered we would be happy to discuss, including if an in-person seminar is preferred or these times are not suitable.

We have expertise in public health, early diagnosis, screening and risk communication. Dr McCartney is an academic at the School of Medicine and also writes and broadcasts about evidence based medicine, and Professor Donnelly is Director of the Mackenzie Institute for Early Diagnosis.

We are offering this seminar to all MPs and advisors at:

• Tuesday 27th August at 2pm
• Tuesday 3rd September at 4pm

To register, please email Dr. Margaret McCartney with your details.