Gardezi Syed A, Albagshi Jafar M, Almuhaidb Aymen, Alajlan Bader, Al Jawad Mohammed
Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, Johns Hopkins Healthcare, Aramco, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Saudi J Gastroenterol. 2025 Jul 1;31(4):241-247. doi: 10.4103/sjg.sjg_122_25. Epub 2025 Jun 23.
The increasing burden of gastrointestinal and liver diseases in Saudi Arabia highlights the need for a strong, standardized GI training program to produce highly skilled gastroenterologists. Historically, joint rotational training programs offered broad exposure but inconsistent mentorship and evaluation. Recently, center-based independent fellowships were introduced to address these challenges, although disparities between high- and low-volume centers persist.
A national survey was conducted using Google Surveys from February to December 2024, targeting GI fellows across Saudi Arabia. The survey was developed based on literature review and validated through pilot testing among fellows during a regional board review course. Participation was encouraged through local representatives and gastroenterology meetings. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
Fifty-four fellows responded. The average satisfaction score was 3.96 of 5, with third-year fellows reporting the highest satisfaction. Strengths included strong endoscopic exposure and collaborative rotations. Mentorship scored lower at 2.78. Only about half of respondents reported opportunities for research, leadership training, or access to hands-on courses. Dedicated teaching sessions were available to just 40.7% of fellows, reflecting significant variability across centers.
While GI training in Saudi Arabia has improved, notable disparities remain. Standardizing curricula, strengthening mentorship, expanding simulation-based training, and improving research and leadership opportunities are critical steps. Integrating successful international models could accelerate progress, ensuring that Saudi Arabia produces confident, competent gastroenterologists ready to meet both national and global healthcare demands.
沙特阿拉伯胃肠道和肝脏疾病负担日益加重，这凸显了制定一个强大、标准化的胃肠病学培训计划以培养高技能胃肠病学家的必要性。从历史上看，联合轮转培训计划提供了广泛的接触机会，但导师指导和评估并不一致。最近，引入了以中心为基础的独立奖学金项目来应对这些挑战，尽管高工作量中心和低工作量中心之间的差距仍然存在。
2024年2月至12月，通过谷歌调查对沙特阿拉伯各地的胃肠病学研究员进行了一项全国性调查。该调查是在文献综述的基础上制定的，并通过在区域委员会复习课程期间对研究员进行预测试来验证。通过当地代表和胃肠病学会议鼓励参与。使用描述性统计和主题分析对数据进行分析。
54名研究员做出了回应。平均满意度得分为3.96（满分5分），三年级研究员的满意度最高。优点包括内镜操作机会多和协作轮转。导师指导得分较低，为2.78分。只有约一半的受访者表示有研究、领导力培训或参加实践课程的机会。只有40.7%的研究员有专门的教学课程，这反映了各中心之间存在显著差异。
虽然沙特阿拉伯的胃肠病学培训有所改进，但显著的差距仍然存在。标准化课程、加强导师指导、扩大基于模拟的培训以及改善研究和领导力机会是关键步骤。整合成功的国际模式可以加速进展，确保沙特阿拉伯培养出有信心、有能力的胃肠病学家，以满足国家和全球医疗保健需求。
