For a detailed programme, see here

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) requires the integration of the best research evidence with our clinical expertise and our patient’s unique values and circumstances (Straus, Richardson, Glasziou and Haynes (2005) p1).

The conference has been organised to help clinicians integrate the research evidence with clinical practice. Delegates will be encouraged to evaluate the evidence that is presented and to consider current and potential applications to clinical practice, based on their own expertise and their knowledge of their clients’ needs and their working environment.

By best research evidence we mean valid and clinically relevant research, often from the basic sciences of medicine, but especially from patient-centred clinical research into the accuracy of diagnostic tests (including clinical examination), the power of prognostic markers, and the efficacy and safety of therapeutic, rehabilitative, and preventative regimes (Straus, Richardson, Glasziou and Haynes (2005) p1).

Speakers presenting research data are being encouraged to consider the clinical relevance of their findings based on the strengths and limitations of their research methods.

By clinical expertise we mean the ability to use our clinical skills and past experience to rapidly identify each patient’s unique health state and diagnosis, their individual risks and benefits of potential interventions, and their personal circumstances and expectations (Straus, Richardson, Glasziou and Haynes (2005) p1).

Similarly, presenters of clinical interventions will consider the ‘patient values and circumstances’ that would indicate that an approach is likely to be suitable or unsuitable for an individual client.

By patient values we mean the unique preferences, concerns and expectations each patient brings to a clinical encounter and which must be integrated into clinical decisions if they are to serve the patient (Straus, Richardson, Glasziou and Haynes (2005) p1).

S. E. Straus, W. S. Richardson, P. Glasziou and R.B. Haynes, Evidence-Based Medicine: How To Practice and Teach EBM. 3rd ed. 2005, London: Elsevier, Churchill Livingstone.

Format

The morning session will begin with a keynote speaker presentation. These speakers bring new perspectives to stammering and research. The second keynote speaker will also facilitate the next/following three presentations. Delegates will then have the opportunity to discuss the papers and consider the application of the findings with the panel of presenters.

The afternoon will be parallel sessions of research papers and workshops.

Poster presentations are to be given high priority with dedicated slots allocated This is a valuable forum in which presenters may have informal discussions, receive feedback and develop ideas with experts, clinicians, users and researchers. Presenters will therefore be required to be in attendance throughout the time allocated to their poster session.

We also want to provide a forum to debate the concept of stuttering as a syndrome - this has generated much email correspondence between a large number of people.