نصائح لاطباء الامتياز بشهادة الاختصاص السعودي لطب الطوارئ
Writer: Dr. Zainab Alhussaini*
Emergency Medicine is a specialty that cares for adult and pediatric patients with acuteillness or injuries that require immediate attention.
In Saudi Arabia, Emergency Medicine is considered one of the developing specialties were it was started in October 2001 and though the country has one of the leading training programs in Emergency Medicine in the gulf region & the Middle East, however, there is still a vast shortage of physicians in many main cities let aloneperipheries as well.
In this following article, I will describe my experience in applying to the program in 2014. The application process started in December 2013, the required documents were: (CV, graduation certificate –GPA shouldn’t be less than 3,5-, recommendation letters, SLE certificate … etc) then all applicants who fulfilled the required documents -around 130- were nominated for the selection exam that focused on advanced cardiac life support, advanced pediatric life support, advanced trauma life support, and general emergency medicine, the exam was held on 25th of March 2014, followed by the interview at the first week of April -70 applicants were interviewed- and only 30 were accepted in the program –in Riyadh-.
Having an experience of rotating in a qualified training center is recommended, such centers are:
Riyadh:
King AbdulAziz Medical City, NGHA
King Fahad Medial City
Armed Forces hospital (Prince Salman Military Medical City)
King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center
King Saud University hospital
King Saud Medical City
Jeddah:
King AbdulAziz Medical City, NGHA
King AbdulAziz University hospital
Eastern Region:
King Fahad Specialist hospital, AlKhobr
King Faisal University hospital, Dammam
Abha:
Aseer Central hospital
Indeed, each center has its own differences in the quality of teaching & facilities, exposure to the cases & the population you will deal with, but at the end of the day it’s all emergency medicine with a deferent flavor. So mainly, make your choice based on the centers you would like to have your residency program in, the environment you become familiar and comfortable with.
Note: The ministry of health provides internal scholarships to one of the training centers.
In regards to knowledge, points that will support you in the selection exam, CV and your practice is to have a background and basis about emergency medicine & procurers done in ED. You may review (First Aid –Emergency Medicine-, Toronto Notes, Tintinalli hand book, Pre-test… etc) and the courses (BLS, ACLS, ATLS, PALS).
Fortunately -not being biased- most of the emergency physicians are easy going, great teachers, cooperative and spontaneous. So during your emergency rotations and the interviews just be your yourself, be confident, humble, and caring… and always remember, there is no such thing of right or wrong, it’s only your attitude and reaction.
Hope it was of benefit and answered some of your inquiries, wish you all of luck.
* Dr. Zainab Abdullah Alhussaini, Emergency Medicine Resident at King Fahad Medical City 2014-2015
E-mail: ozo.alhusaini@hotmail.com
