Gordon Henry Guyatt (born 1953) is a physician and Professor of Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. He is known for his work on evidence-based medicine, a term that first appeared in a paper he published.[1] He has published over 450 peer-reviewed articles in medical journals. He has also written extensively on health care policy in the popular press. His contribution to quality of life research, randomized trials and meta-analysis have been considered groundbreaking. In 2007, the BMJ launched an international election for the most important contributions to healthcare. Evidence-based medicine came 7th in the line-up, beating the computer. Dr. Guyatt is the co-editor of the Users’ Guides to the Medical Literature, a comprehensive set of journal articles and textbook for clinicians that wish to incorporate Evidence-based medicine into their practices.[2][3]
Guyatt directed the residency program at McMaster that trains physicians to be specialists in internal medicine. He currently publishes a regular health column on the editorial pages of the Winnipeg Free Press and in an online news service, Straight Goods. He also has published a regular health column in the editorial pages of the Hamilton Spectator (2001–2003).
In 1979, Guyatt and Dr. Fred Freedman co-founded the Medical Reform Group, a Canadian organization of physicians, medical students and others which supports universal public health care. Guyatt continues to serve as a member of the steering committee and leading spokesperson for this group.
Guyatt ran as the New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate in the 2004, 2006 and 2008 Canadian federal elections in the riding of Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale. He also previously ran for the NDP in the 2000 federal election in the former riding of Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Aldershot. He is married to Dr. Maureen Meade with three children, Robyn Guyatt, Paige and Claire. Guyatt was born and raised in Hamilton.
In 2011, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada "for his contributions to the advancement of evidence-based medicine and its teaching".[4]