The Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) started the admission interviews for 454 doctors on February 13, who applied to join the local medical training programs (residency and fellowship) in the Sultanate for the academic year 2023/2024.
In addition, 268 doctors applied to join international residency and fellowship training programs for the academic year 2024/2025.
The board conducted the local admission exam for doctors on September 17, 2022, where 540 doctors successfully achieved the required score in the exam for this year's admission.
This exam is one of the exams that are locally developed by the Oman Medical Specialty Board, and it is a criterion for the acceptance of Omani doctors in the training programs of the Board.
Following the passing of the exam, applicants need to undergo personal interviews with members of the education committees of the specialty applied for.
Doctors who pass the admission exam will undergo personal interviews in 17 medical specialties this year that include: anatomical pathology, anesthesia, clinical biochemistry, dermatology, emergency medicine, family medicine, general surgery, hematopathology, internal medicine, medical microbiology, obstetric and gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and radiology.
As for general dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery, it is required for applicants to have Membership in the Royal College of Dental Surgeons (MFDS).
Interviews for local residency programs are conducted at the headquarter of the Oman Medical Specialty Board, while local fellowship program interviews are conducted in training centers for each program (Royal Hospital and Sultan Qaboos University Hospital).
Interviews for international training programs were also conducted during the same time until March 9.
The Board interviews doctors applying for international residency and fellowship programs outside the Sultanate in the specializations of heart and chest surgery, neurosurgery, pediatrics neurology, forensic medicine, urology, vascular surgery, plastic surgery, pediatric surgery, radiation therapy, public health, medicine neurology, general surgery, orthopedics, ophthalmology, obstetric and gynecology.
Accepted doctors for the academic year 2023/2024 will join 23 training programs, 19 of which are residency programs, and four local fellowship programs.
Trainees of the Board are trained in a number of accredited training centers such as the Royal Hospital, Khaula Hospital, Al -Nahda Hospital, Al -Masara Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Armed Forces Hospital, Royal Police Hospital, and a number of health centers in the various regions of the Sultanate.
During the training period, which ranges from 4 to 6 academic years, the Board organizes many workshops and training courses in every medical specialty. The specialties’ curricula have 2 parts, practical that include hands-on training in training centers or in the Medical Simulation and Innovation Center, and theoretical part through workshops and courses.
Upon the completion of training, the trainees of the board are granted a Certificate of Completion of Training, and a Specialty or Fellowship Certificate, from the Oman Medical Specialty Board.
The Oman Medical Specialty Board obtained international accreditation for its training programs, in order to raise the level of medical education and training to international standards, encourage scientific research, and sharpen the skills of Omani doctors.
The Board is currently in the process of developing new residency and fellowship training programs in neurology, adult clinical hematology, and others.
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