Public health nursing education in Saudi Arabia

Public health nurses are key personnel in promoting and protecting the health of populations using knowledge from the nursing, social, and public health sciences. In Saudi Arabia, the nursing profession requires the integration of public health education and associated competencies in the nursing curriculum. In this paper, we aim to highlight the importance of public health nursing in overcoming the challenges associated with epidemiological transitions and responding to the health needs of rising populations, describe the development of the nursing profession in Saudi Arabia, and recommend public health teaching and training objectives for nursing education. The future Saudi public health nurse should be competent in addressing the determinants of health and illness that are salient to a culturally distinct group. This newly outlined role for public health nurses will maximize the use of the educated Saudi nursing workforce and will fill the gap in population public health needs in an efficient and effective way

Medical students' evaluation of their exposure to the teaching of ethics

The subject of Biomedical Ethics has become recognized as an essential integral component in the undergraduate curriculum of medical students. [1] To review the current Biomedical Ethics Course offered at the College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdul-Aziz University for Health Sciences [KSAU-HS]. [2] To explore the perception of medical students on the different components of the course. The medical students were requested to participate in the study at the end of the course by filling in a pre-designed questionnaire. A qualitative approach was used also to examine their perceptions about certain components of the course. Forty-one medical students participated in this study. All students expressed their strong agreement on the importance of their learning biomedical ethics. Their views about the role of Biomedical Ethics were also considered. These include professional development, assessment of ethical competencies, and the timing of the teaching of ethics. The students provided valuable comments that were supported by the literature reviews. Medical Students' views of the teaching of the various components of biomedical ethics are important and should be sought in the planning of a curriculum

E-learning in Saudi Arabia: To E or not to E, that is the question

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA] has witnessed unprecedented growth in higher education and E-learning in recent times. In the last five years, one university and five colleges have been commissioned every month; 800 scholarships have been awarded every month for overseas study; a national center for E-learning has been established; and E-units or departments have been set-up in almost every university. E-learning has become important for discussion to quote Shakespeare To E or not to E that is the question. To examine current and future developments and challenges of E-learning in KSA. A qualitative approach was used to explore views of 30 senior academicians involved in E-learning during their attendance at a two-week course on the subject. All participants considered themselves as decision makers on E-learning in their units or departments. They felt that E-learning had come to stay, but acknowledged challenges in respect of resources, organization, management, and information technology. The fast development of E-learning poses many challenges. Clear vision and strategic planning with prospective E-learners in mind are essential to make E-learning programs cost effective

Perceptions of primary health care [PHC] doctors on the prevention of coronary heart disease [CHD] in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Coronary heart disease [CHD] is the leading cause of death throughout the world. PHC doctors are in a unique position to prevent CHD and promote health in the population. However, the perception of PHC doctors on CHD prevention has not been well documented. To explore and examine the perception of PHC doctors on the prevention of CHD. A questionnaire survey of all PHC doctors attending a continuing medical education [CME] activity in Riyadh city. The questionnaire was designed and piloted with local PHC doctors before being used in this survey. All the 77 PHC doctors responded [100%] and almost all of them [97.4%] agreed that the primary prevention of CHD was an essential task. Fifty-two participants [67.53%] confirmed that little attention had been paid to the primary prevention of CHD. While the majority of respondents [71.43%] felt that the primary prevention of CHD was an easy task, a significant minority [23.37%] disagreed. Interestingly, 70 [90.91%] respondents were not aware of any local literature on how to achieve primary prevention of CHD and would like to have the literature made available to them. Finally, participants indicated that the percentage prevalence of CHD risk factors among their patients was high. The findings of this survey confirm a general feeling that the primary prevention of CHD is not being given enough attention. Participants accepted that the primary prevention of CHD was an essential part of their work, but the lack of local literature and research on this vital area was a major concern

Quality issues in continuing medical education in Saudi Arabia

The issue of continuing medical education [CME] in Saudi Arabia is no longer quantity but rather quality. Quality Management [QM] of the current huge number of CME activities is essential to ensure its merits and outcomes. Sound evaluation is the cornerstone of any QM process to CME. However, issues related to models of evaluation, CME stakeholders, principles of adult learning and assessment should be consideered before deciding on the type of evaluation appropriate for QM of CME. Our aim is to draw attention to the importance of developing a QM process for CME that is valid, reliable, feasible and acceptable to diffferent CME stakeholders. The huge volume of CME programs needs QM to ensure its utility for healthcare providers and consumers. Understanding relevant evaluation models and the complexity of evaluating CME is a necessary step towards appropriate action

Appointment system in primary care: opinion of consumers and providers

The appointment system in primary care is widely used in developed countries, but there seems to be a problem with its use in Saudi Arabia, [1] To explore opinions and satisfaction of consumers and providers of care in Primary Health Care regarding walk-in and the introduction of the appointment system, [2] To examine factors which may affect commitment to an appointment system in PHC. Two hundred sixty [260] consumers above the age of 15 years as well as seventy [70] members of staff were randomly selected from 10 Primary Health Care Clinics in the National Guard Housing Area, Riyadh and asked to complete a structured questionnaire designed to meet the study's objectives. The majority of consumers and providers of care were in favour of introducing appointments despite their satisfaction with the existing walk-in sysem. Respondents saw many advantages In the appointment system in PHC such as nnie saving, reduction of crowds in the dimes and guarantee of a time slot. The main perceived disadvantage was the limitation of accessibility to patients especially with acute conditions. The main organizational advantages and disadvantages perceived by providers were related to follow-ups of chronic patients, no shows and late arrivals. The majority of the patients preferred appointments in the afternoon and the possibility of obtaining an appointment over the telephone, In this study, both consumers and providers supported the idea of introducing the appointment mixed syst'em in primary care, hut fiirther study is required

Appropirateness of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy referrals from primary health care

Open-access endoscopy is defined as [the provision of a diagnostic endoscopic procedure by direct request of a general practitioner without prior hospital consultation] [1]. Although open access is needed to meet the increasing demand for endoscopy service, studies suggest there is a link between such a system and inappropriate use of esophagogastroduodenoscopy [EGD], particularly in primary care. [2-8] To ensure the appropriateness of EGD, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy [ASGE] has developed criteria to promote safe and responsible endoscopic practice[9]. In Saudi Arabia, gastrointestinal symptoms are common, with normal endoscopic findings ranging from 23.5% to 29%, [10-14] but there is little, if any, application of standard criteria to judge the use of endoscopy. This study examined the appropriateness of EGD referrals from primary health care [PHC] and the association between appropriate use and the presence of significant lesions detected by endoscopy using standard criteria developed by the ASGE

Is there a need to involve doctors in management of health care in Saudi Arabia?

Recently, the role of doctors and managers in health care management has become a hot topic in the newspapers and public magazine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The aim of this paper is to contribute constructively and scientifically to this topical issue by emphasizing that commonality and interaction between medicine and management dictate more involvement of doctors in management. Although one may argue that doctors are usually not well trained in resources management, scientific evidence supports the need for more involvement of doctors in managing health care system. In addition, government needs to make a strategic shift towards high quality primary and preventive care to enable doctors in management role to maintain essential services and contain cost

Challenges facing continuing medical education and the Saudi Council for Health Specialities

As we leave the 20th century, continuing medical education faces many challenges in relation to its effectiveness, efficiency and quality. The young and promising Saudi Council for Health Specialties produces a document on accreditation of continuing medical education, which indicates its interest in this vital subject. This paper aims to enrich the approach to continuing medical education in Saudi Arabia by reviewing the main relevant challenges reported in literature and suggesting that the Saudi Council for Health Specialities may consider developing and implementing a continuing medical education charter that addresses the needs of all stakeholders and emphasizes high quality and cost-effective provision

Primary care led NHS what does it mean?

The National Health Service [NHS] in the United Kingdom [UK] is one of the oldest, but most cost effective, health care systems in the developed countries. One of its latest strategies to maintain its fame and cost-effectiveness is to make primary health care [PUC] lead the way to the coming century. this paper presents different definitions of PHC, its development in the UK and lessons which can be learnt from the experience of developed countries

systematic approach to multiple choice questions [MCQs]

This paper aims to enable examinees to optimize their performance in multiple choice questions [MCQ] by adopting a simple but systematic approach in solving such questions. Although this approach is based on our experience with candidates for the Membership Examination of the Royal College of General Practitioners [MRCGP] and examples used in this paper are typical of MRCGP questions, the approach is relevant to other similar examinations. Moreover, the presented approach may also help in developing significant cognitive skills relative to clinical practice

Patterns of referral from health centres to hospitals in Riyadh region

Patterns of attendance and referrals in hospitals and health centres in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia, studied before and after implementing a referral system showed a 40.6% total decrease in patients attending hospital outpatient clinics; an 11.9% increase in patients attending primary health centres; a 19.2% increase in referrals; a 33.2% increase in patients attending emergency departments; and a 17.3% increase in inpatients. It is clear that the referral system has, and will have, an impact on primary and secondary health care services. In order to optimize positive and minimize negative aspects of this impact, communication between primary health centres and hospitals should be of high standard. Regular reviews and studies of referral systems are recommended