The Oman Medical Specialty Board Organize the Scientific Research Activity Virtual for the First Time

The Oman Medical Specialty Board organized the Scientific Research Activity   on     Wednesday, 23ed of December 2020. The event was held virtually for the first time this year due to the exceptional circumstances of Covid19, which is effecting the Sultanate and the world.

The Oman Medical Specialty Board gives a special attention to continue the scientific research process by organizing a scientific research event annually. The current circumstances of the Corona pandemic did not hinder these efforts, as it was organized remotely through the National  E-learning Platform for Health   (Tabyan). Forty-six research papers competed this year, divided between research presentations and research posters prepared by  resident physicians of the Board from all specialized training programs.

Dr. Khalid bin Humaid Al-Rasadi - Director of the Medical Research Center  at Sultan Qaboos University opened the event with a speech reviewing the most important challenges and opportunities that faced scientific research during the Corona pandemic (Covid-19).

This activity aims to raise community awareness of medical content and promote areas of specialized research. A number of 18 research papers competed this year, in addition to research posters which were divided into two groups, each containing 14 research posters. A jury from various hospitals, and research and scientific centers in the Sultanate evaluated the participating research.

The resident physicians in the Board compete annually to provide the best scientific research that achieves development in their investigation and scientific research skills. This competition also provide them with the opportunity to publish their medical research in scientific journals. A competition for scientific research and posters at the level of the specialized training programs in the Board takes place prior to the activity every year, in which doctors from different academic years compete and the first winning research from each program   qualifies to have the opportunity to compete in the Scientific Research Activity. The board selects the four best research presentations, and selects the three best research posters presented in both groups to win.

Board of Trustees Fourth Meeting for 2020

The Board of Trustees of the Oman Medical Specialty Board held its fourth meeting for this year on Thursday, December 10, 2020. The meeting was   chaired by His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Muhammad Al-Saeedi, Minister of Health - Chairman of the Board of Trustees, in presence of members of the Board.

The meeting began with the approval of the minutes of the third meeting for the year 2020 and follow up on the decisions and work plans previously developed.

The Board members reviewed issues raised related to Graduate Medical Education, specifically matters concerning the International Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME-I) such as virtual visits to sponsoring institutions, the Dermatology Program virtual site visit, as well as the results of the ACGME-I Resident and Faculty Survey.

The meeting included discussion of the Mid-Cycle Review Report of Histopathology   and Psychiatry Program.

The meeting also included a discussion of some trainee affairs in relation to the approval of the list of graduates, the OMSB entry examination (IFOM).

During the meeting, some professional competence affairs matters discussed. This included the suggested equivalence certificate for Diploma & Masters.

As well as, the review of the results of OMSB part II written and clinical examination for the year 2020. The meeting included the approval of progression criteria alteration.

The Board members concluded the meeting by discussing the Board's projects and work plans for the year 2021

Via video communication .. The Fourth Executive Board Meeting for 2020 of the Oman Medical Specialty Board

The Executive Board of the Oman Medical Specialty Board   held its fourth meeting for this year on Thursday, December 3 2020. The meeting was   headed by His Excellency Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al-Sabti – Executive President of the Oman Medical Specialty Board with   the presence of members of the Executive Board and heads of   Educational Committees for training programs via video call.

The meeting began with the approval of the minutes of the third executive meeting for the year 2020 and following up on the decisions and work plans previously developed.

The Board members discussed issues related to the International Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME-I) regarding virtual visits to the Dermatology Program and the sponsoring institutions.

The meeting included discussion of the   Mid-Cycle Review Report of Histopathology   Program and Mid-Cycle Review Report of Psychiatry Program.

The meeting also included a discussion of the trainees' affairs in relation to the list of graduates for approval and submission to the Board of Trustees, and a review of the results of the OMSB Part II Written & Clinical Examinations for the year 2020.

Cooperation Agreement Between the Oman Medical Specialty Board and the Ministry of Health to Enhance Medical Training in Fellowship Programs

 His Excellency Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al-Sabti, Executive President of the Oman Medical Specialty Board, and His Excellency Dr. Fatima Bint Mohammad Al-Ajmeya, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Administrative, Financial and Planning Affairs, signed a cooperative agreement for fellowship training programs for Omani doctors. The Agreement was signed on Tuesday, the 17th of November 2020 in the headquarters of the Oman Medical Specialty Board in Azaiba. The ceremony was attended by a group of officials from both institutions.

The program aims to highlight the aspects of cooperation between the Board and the Ministry of Health in relation to fellowship training programs. The agreement also clarifies the joint contributions that both parties make in the stages of establishment, approval and supervision of these programs.

Since specialized medical education and training in fellowship programs allows for precise and advanced specialization in various areas of health practices, the existence of such subspecialties in health institutions in the Sultanate has become a necessity in order to provide qualified Omani health practitioners to work in hospitals after they undergo the training programs.

In addition, The Board seeks to have an integrated role with the rest of health institutions in the Sultanate in order to incubate these programs and follow up their progress, within the framework of its role to advance medical education in all health specialties. The Board provides health institutions with the support and qualification for their staff and everything relates to the international accreditation and recognition of these programs.

 It is important to highlight that The Board provides opportunities to join medical fellowship programs locally in a number of different specialties, in addition to the chance for Omani doctors to enroll in one of nineteen residency training programs, in order to empower Omani doctors educationally and professionally within the facilities available in the Sultanate.

The National E-Learning Platform for Health

The Oman Medical Specialty Board launches on Wednesday, November 4, 2020, the National E-learning Platform for Health “Tebyan” in line with the Sultanate’s celebrations of the fiftieth national day. The Ceremony is under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Saeedi - Minister of Health - Chairman of the Board of Trustees, with the presence of His Excellency Dr. Hilal bin Ali Al-Sabti – Executive President of the Oman Medical Specialty Board, in the Ibn Omairah Hall at the Board’s Headquarter.

The launch of the E-learning Platform comes in recognition of the Oman Medical Specialty Board of the importance of continuing the educational process in the field of medical education and its role in qualifying and preparing medical personnel, and the right of health sector to receive education and its developments by using the latest electronic technologies anywhere and anytime, from credible sources.

The program

The program will start with a welcome speech by H.E. Dr. Hilal Al Sabti, followed by a visual presentation of the Platform branding and presentations of the launching of the Platform and its features.

The educational platform aims to contribute to the process of remote medical education and training for resident doctors of the Board, doctors from outside the Board and other medical groups working in the health sector. This is done through lectures and integrated training courses available on the platform in the remote learning management system. It also aims to improve the educational process for Ministry of Heath staff in the Sultanate, enhancing the educational experience through attractive and innovative means, contributing to health awareness for the community, and partnering with the relevant authorities to develop and update innovative medical education methods. Through this platform, doctors and health practitioners can access various educational resources and complete training activities and practical exercises in an interactive and interesting way.

The educational platform of the Board is distinguished by being an integrated platform that serves workers in the health sector in general, and operates with an electronic learning system that saves time and effort for the learner so that he can finish the activities related to the training course at any place and time. At the end of the training course, the participant receives an electronic certificate approved by the Oman Medical Specialty Board.

Through the educational platform, doctors can enroll in new training courses based on the requirements of the resident physician category, such as scientific research methodology, communication skills,  and infection prevention and control, as these training courses have been converted to either fully electronic or blended where the learner must finish the theoretical part of the course electronically before enrolling in practical training that takes place usually at the Medical Simulation and Skills Development Center of the Oman Medical Specialty Board.

 During the Corona pandemic (Covid-19), the educational platform was used to hold events that require the attendance of a large number of participants. The induction programs for new doctors enrolled in the Oman Medical Specialty Board for the year 2020 were presented through the platform, as well as a number of other events and activities related to medical education.

This educational experience allowed the trainers and trainees to keep abreast of the current developments in the field of integrated medical education, and contributed to the continuation of medical education, training and educational events in crises and disasters such as the current Coronavirus pandemic, in order to achieve preventive measures and to ensure the safety of health practitioners.

The Board approved the electronic educational platform project in mid-2018, as one of the projects of the Board’s strategic plan 2040, and work on the project began at an accelerated pace. This educational platform is being developed and managed by a national team which is 100% from the Oman Medical Specialty Board staff, and with the help of specialized Omani staff from various Hospitals, to prepare educational courses according to international standards using precise educational methods and assessment tools.

The Skills Development Department manages the electronic learning platform to provide lessons and courses online, and continues its efforts in designing and developing work to provide it in a sustainable manner, due to the importance of the e-learning system in saving time and effort for the trainee and the trainer so that they can finish the activities related to the training course at any place and time via computers or any device, tablet or smartphone, and it allows them to retain educational materials even after the lectures, to be a future reference for them.

The Board is keen to continue social responsibility, by providing an educational platform for all health personnel working in the Sultanate both in the government and private sectors, and seeks to provide lessons and special courses for the community to spread awareness of various health information and practices, which is a main support of medical education and public health.

Oman Medical Specialty Board and Al-Jisr Foundation Sign an Agreement for Medical Scholarships Abroad

The Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) and the Al-Jisr Foundation signed an agreement on 27^th of October 2020 to send doctors and health allied abroad to obtain higher qualifications in cardiac specialties such as Fellowship in Cardiac Anesthesia and Cardiac Perfusion Programs.

The scholarship period for these specialties ranges from two to three years. This agreement is very valuable as there is an urgent need for cardiac specialists in the Sultanate.

OMSB has been cooperating with various health sectors in the Sultanate to ensure qualifying and training Omani doctors and health allied to the highest international standards in advanced medical education.

This agreement comes in line with the belief of Al-Jisr Foundation in the importance of strategic partnership for purposes that would enhance social responsibility and achieve the common good of society. The foundation aims to achieve this through supporting the   health, education and scientific research sectors in the Sultanate in accordance with the national plans and guidelines issued by the government in order to enrich national economy.