An Evaluation of the 2020 Change to the Saudi Emergency Residency Program Assessment

Abstract

Background

Several changes have been made to the assessment component of Saudi residency training programs. Among those is the implementation of three examinations over the course of the year.

Aim

We aimed to explore the emergency residents’ perspective on the change in the number of examinations, and the impact of such changes in terms of time management, knowledge gain, and social life.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out from September to October 2022, using an electronic survey targeting emergency board trainees.

Results

One hundred and nine emergency residents enrolled, of whom 64.2% were male. The majority, 45%, were from the central province. Junior-level residents (R1) represented 26.6% of the sample, while R2 (second year) comprised 18.3%, R3 (third year) comprised 38.5%, and 16.5% were senior (R4) level. More than half of the participants, 56 % (n=61), did not support the change from one to three examinations and believed that it had a negative influence on knowledge gain and clinical skills. The influence of the change on time management stands out as a negative impact, in addition to its impact on social life and annual leave arrangements.

Conclusions

The support for three examinations throughout the year was low; a contributing factor to this may be the sudden changes effected by those tests on training and time management. A re-evaluation of testing culture and involving residents in decision-making might generate acceptance.