Zainab Abubakr Almusleh

Biography and Expertise of Zainab Al Musleh

Dr. Zainab Al Musleh has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between conventional medicine and traditional complementary practices. Her expertise spans over two decades, primarily in audiology and balance disorders, while concurrently developing a significant focus on complementary medicine integration. This dual proficiency allows her to approach patient care and research from a uniquely comprehensive perspective, which is central to her work in Qatar’s leading healthcare and academic institutions.

Her professional activities directly support the core themes of the 3rd WCTCIM. For example, Dr. Al Musleh’s work on developing national policies and regulations for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Qatar is a clear embodiment of the Thematic Axis, “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems.” Furthermore, her objective to establish globally applicable standards for cupping therapy addresses the congress’s emphasis on evidence and scientific validation. Her research into safe patient selection for clinical trials in cupping therapy also highlights her commitment to the principles of the Gujarat Declaration.

Moreover, as Principal Investigator in multiple IRB-approved studies, the work of Zainab Al Musleh contributes directly to the Thematic Axis, “Contributions of TCIM to Global Public Health (Evidence-Based).” By generating robust scientific data on practices like Hijama, she provides the evidence necessary for these therapies to be recognized and integrated safely and effectively into public health strategies for conditions such as chronic back and neck pain.

Professional Career of Zainab Al Musleh

The professional career of Dr. Zainab Al Musleh reflects a consistent trajectory of clinical leadership and academic contribution within Qatar’s healthcare landscape. Holding senior positions at both Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Qatar University, she has been instrumental in advancing patient care in her specialty while simultaneously promoting education and research in complementary medicine. Her extensive experience of over two decades provides a solid foundation for her multifaceted roles.

Her work demonstrates a commitment to both specialized medical practice and the broader integration of different healthcare modalities. Consequently, she has taken on responsibilities that influence clinical protocols, academic curricula, and national health policy, making her a key figure in the evolution of integrative health in the region.

• Senior Consultant, Hamad Medical Corporation (2010–Present): In this long-standing role, she provides expert clinical care in hearing and balance disorders. Her responsibilities also include leadership functions within her department.
• Chair, Balance Section, Audiology Unit, HMC: As chair, she leads a specialized section dedicated to vestibular diagnostics and rehabilitation, overseeing its clinical services and development.
• Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Medicine, Qatar University (2023–Present): This academic appointment involves teaching and mentoring medical students, contributing to the development of future healthcare professionals.
• Faculty, Weill Cornell Medical College & University of Toronto Programs: Her involvement as a faculty member in programs associated with these international institutions underscores her role in high-level medical education.

Academic Qualifications

Dr. Zainab Al Musleh’s academic background provides the essential credentials for her specialized work in both Otorhinolaryngology and vestibular medicine. Her qualifications from established institutions demonstrate a strong commitment to rigorous medical training and continuous professional development. This foundation in conventional medicine is critical to her evidence-based approach to complementary therapies.

The combination of a broad surgical specialization with focused training in audiology and vestibular medicine has equipped her with a deep understanding of complex sensory disorders. Therefore, her educational path has been fundamental in shaping her dual expertise and her capacity to conduct credible research in integrative health.

• Arab Board in Otorhinolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery (2006): This certification represents a high standard of specialty training and competence in the field of ENT across the Arab region.
• M.B.B.S., King Faisal University (1996): She earned her foundational medical degree, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, from this reputable university.
• Extensive training in audiology & vestibular medicine in the UK: Post-specialization, she pursued further in-depth training in the United Kingdom to develop her sub-specialty expertise in hearing and balance disorders.

Research and Scientific Contributions by Zainab Al Musleh

Dr. Zainab Al Musleh is an active contributor to the scientific literature, with a research portfolio focused on providing an evidence base for complementary medicine practices. As a Principal Investigator, she leads multiple studies on cupping therapy that have received approval from Institutional Review Boards (IRB), signifying their adherence to ethical and scientific standards. Her primary research objective is to develop and validate standards for cupping therapy, making it a safer and more predictable intervention for conditions like back and neck pain.

Her scholarly work is disseminated through various high-impact channels, ensuring a broad reach within the academic and clinical communities. Additionally, her publications are indexed in major scientific databases, which enhances the visibility and credibility of her findings. The contributions of Zainab Al Musleh are therefore vital for building a robust body of evidence in the field.

• Peer-Reviewed Publications: She is the author of articles published in journals indexed in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, demonstrating a commitment to rigorous peer review.
• Book Chapters: Dr. Al Musleh contributed to the “Handbook of Complementary, Alternative and Integrative Medicine” (2023), a significant publication that consolidates knowledge in the field.
• International Speaker: She has served as a speaker and co-chair in numerous international conferences across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, sharing her research and clinical insights with a global audience.

Leadership and Administrative Roles

Beyond her clinical and academic duties, Dr. Zainab Al Musleh holds several key leadership and administrative positions that enable her to influence the direction of complementary and integrative medicine in Qatar and internationally. These roles reflect her commitment to building institutional capacity for research, education, and regulation in the field. Her activities are instrumental in fostering collaboration and advancing the professionalization of TCIM.

Through these responsibilities, she actively organizes scientific events, directs training programs, and contributes to policy-making. Consequently, her leadership extends from grassroots education to national-level strategy, showcasing a comprehensive approach to integrating complementary medicine into the healthcare system.

• Chair, Complementary Medicine Research Network Group (QU Health) (2014–Present): In this capacity, she leads a university-level group dedicated to coordinating and promoting research in complementary medicine.
• Conference Organizer: She has served as Head of Scientific Committees and an organizer for both national and international conferences, including her role as Speaker & Organizer for the 3rd WCTCIM in Brazil (2025) and Co-chair for the 1st Conference on Complementary Medicine in Islamic Civilization in Qatar (2025).
• National Policy Contributor: Dr. Al Musleh has been involved in the development of national policies and regulations for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Qatar.
• Director of Training Programs: She serves as a lecturer and director for Cupping Therapy Training Programs that are accredited by the Ministry of Health (MOH), ensuring high standards of education for practitioners.

Connect with Dr. Al Musleh

For a detailed overview of the research output and academic profile of Dr. Zainab Al Musleh, you can consult her official Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) record. This profile provides a comprehensive list of her peer-reviewed publications, scholarly contributions, and professional affiliations.

ORCID Profile: View Publications and Profile on ORCID