Rayyan, a data analytics system developed in Qatar that automates the process
of available research reviews, is now being
used widely by medical professionals.
The app helps them decide on health
guidelines and support evidence-based medicine.
The app is free and can be accessed via web or mobile
platforms. It was developed by Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI).
“Rayyan is changing the way systematic reviews are produced
and is dramatically reducing the time it takes for producing systematic reviews
for a large number of users around the world,” Dr. Mourad Ouzzani, principal scientist for data analytics, QCRI, said. “By automating the production of
systematic reviews, Rayyan is expediting the availability of current best
evidence for policy and clinical decision-making.”
Scientists mostly use costly and time-consuming methods to handle
reviewing available research. Oftentimes, the method involves a few employees
sifting through thousand of medical journals over the course of a year. But
Rayyan vastly speeds up the process.
The app developers plan to increase its user base in Qatar.
“We have few users from Qatar, exactly 12, the two more
prominent are from the Primary Health Care Corporation,” Ouzzani said. “We hope to grow further
by reaching out to Hamad Medical Corporation, Sidra, QBRI, Qatar University, Qatar National Library and the
private health care practices interested in research.”
