TRAINING PROGRAM

This is a four-year program of structured training in Dermatology and related specialties.  After completion of the training program the trainee should have gained sound and solid knowledge in principles of Dermatology and its related specialties.  He/she should have gained enough clinical and technical experience to practice as a safe and competent dermatologist.  He/she should be able to evaluate, assess, diagnose all problems of dermatology and safely manage them.

OBJECTIVES :

a) General Objectives

1. To train and graduate competent, knowledgeable dermatologists capable of functioning independently.

2.To provide an educational environment that will promote the standard of delivery of health care.

b) Specific Objectives:

A specialist in dermatology should have a high degree of competence in diagnosing and treating patients with diseases of the skin and visible mucosa and in providing intelligent appraisal and management of any dermatological matter.  The candidate must and foremost be an expert in the living mucous membranes.  The candidate’s knowledge must include:

1. Embryology, gross and microscopic anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, and physiology of the skin.
2. Normal and disturbed immunologic cutaneous mechanisms.
3. All primary disease of the skin, and, in addition, cutaneous manifestation of disease of internal medicine, pediatrics, and other specialties.
4. Sexually transmitted diseases.
5. Dermapathology.
6. Cutaneous diagnostic skills including  patch testing, their utilization and interpretation.
7. Dermatological therapy, including a knowledge of percutaneous absorption, the pharmacology of topical and systemic medications, and Photomedicine.
8. The rational use of dermatological surgical techniques, including extensive cutaneous surgery, and current physical modalities of therapy.

At the end of the of his training the candidate should be able to:

Perform thorough and suitably oriented history and physical examination.

Formulate a reasonable and comprehensive common disorders in dermatology, as well as many of the rare ones.

Recognize emergency situations and manage them effectively.

Select relevant investigations logically and conservatively, and interpret their results accurately.

Manage common problems in dermatology and possess knowledge of management alternatives.

Possess good skills in various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in dermatology.

Communicate well with patients, relatives, and colleagues.

Keep orderly, accurate, and informative medical records.

Educate and up date himself/herself and others in his field.

Advise colleagues from other specialties in problems related to dermatology.

Admission Requirements :

To be accepted in the training program, the candidate has to fulfill the following requirements:

1. A medical degree from a recognized university.
2. Successful completion of rotating internship.
3. Passing an admission examination and an interview.
4. Provision of two (2) recommendation letters from consultant/dermatologist confirming the suitability of the candidate for training in dermatology.
5. Provision of a letter  from the sponsoring organization approving that the candidate can join full time training program for the whole period of the program (4 years) or a document of capability of self support.
6. Signature a contract to abide by all the rules and regulations of the training program and the Saudi Board of Dermatology.
7. Registration as trainee at the Saudi Council for Health Specialties.

Training Requirements:

1. Training is a full time commitment.  Residents shall be enrolled in a continuous full time training the whole period of the program.
2. Training is to be conducted in an institution accredited for training by the Saudi Board.
3. Training shall be comprehensive and includes inpatient, ambulatory and emergency room care.
4. Trainee shall abide by the training regulations and obligations set by the Saudi Board of Dermatology.

Structure of the Training Program :

This is a four-year program of structured training in dermatology and related specialties.  The program involves supervised clinical training inpatient and outpatient areas as well as lectures, seminars, journal clubs, grand rounds, and bedside teaching.  The program is divided as follows:

a) Junior Residency (Year 1,2, and 3)

1) Year (R1)

This will be devoted to basic training in general medicine, pediatrics, and other related clinical specialties.  Training rotations will be as follows:

Internal Medicine                6 months

Pediatrics                          3 months

Clinical Elective                  3 months

The clinical elective may be spent in medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, surgery, psychiatry, or any other clinical specialty.

2)Year 2 and 3

These will be devoted to training in general dermatology and related specialties such as pediatric dermatology, dermatopathology, allergy and dermatosurgery. Training will take place in outpatient clinics and inpatient areas under supervision of senior residents and consultants.

Residents are expected to participate actively in ongoing teaching activities

b) Senior Residency (Year 4)

Training in this stage will be a continuation of training in dermatology and its subspecialties but the residents will function as a senior resident  and will gain supervisory teaching and leadership skills.  He shall be involved in teaching junior residents and organizing educational activities.  He shall provide consultations to other departments under supervision of his seniors.  Gradually, he will gain more autonomy and assume leadership of his team.

Vacations, and Holidays:

1. Residents are entitled for four weeks vacation annually and a maximum of 10 day for both eid holidays and emergency leave.

2. Sick and maternity leave shall be compensated for during or at the end of training.

Evaluation:

1.End of rotation evaluation:

At the end of each training rotation, the supervising consultant/team shall provide the training committee with a written evaluation of the resident’s performance during that rotation.

2.In-training examinations:

The program shall incorporate an annual written examination, as part of the evaluation process of residents and a clinical examination at least for senior residents.

3. Aual overall evaluation:

This includes:

a)Summation of end of rotation evaluations for the year (50% of total mark)

b)Result of annual in-training evaluation (50% of total mark).

Promotion:

1.Annual promotion (e.g. R1 to R2) depends on annual overall evaluation.

2.Promotion to senior residency depends on annual overall evaluations, and passing first board examination.

 BOARD EXAMINATIONS

A.First Board Examination:

1.This examination is held at least once per year in one or more of the training centers.

2.It is written examination, and includes applied basic sciences and clinical dermatology.

3.Candidates are allowed to sit the examination after successful completion of second year of training.

4.Passing the first board examination is a pre-requisite for promotion to senior residency.

5.Candidates are allowed a total of three attempts.  Those failing the third attempt will be dismissed from the program.

B.Final Board Examination:

1.This examination is given to candidates after successful completion of training, as evidenced by an acceptable final in-training evaluation.

2.It is held at least once per year in one or more of the training centers.

3.This final examination consists of two parts:

a)written part: designed to evaluate knowledge and clinical judgment.  Only successful candidates in this part are allowed to sit the clinical/oral part.

b)Clinical/oral part: designed to test clinical skills/abilities judgment in the field of Dermatology.  Candidates are allowed a maximum of five attempts to pass the examination within a period of five years after completion of training.

Certification :

Candidates passing the final board examination are awarded the certificate of the Saudi Board of Dermatology.