The Third International Health Specialties Conference was concluded in Faisaliyah Hotel here Thursday in the presence of 1200 participants who had addressed some ten sessions and eight workshops over the span of two days. During the Conference, there was intensive interaction between local and international speakers on the one hand and the audience on the other hand, says spokesman of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS) Abdullah Al-Zuhaiyyan. Channels of communication amongst trainees were open while the workshops achieved their objectives of enriching the activities of the Conference, Al-Zuhaiyyan noted and added that several topics pertaining to professional training and medical education were discussed. He pointed out that the Conference tackled a number of topics related to assessment in medical education. The SCHS spokesman reiterated that the Conference had achieved its most important objectives of setting up a platform for communication and interaction between trainees and international specialists. The objectives also included, inter alia, providing the opportunities for upgrading the mechanisms and methodologies of medical education and training as well as furnishing the trainees the information needed by them and enabling them to understand some of the mechanisms pertaining to training and examinations, Al-Zuhaiyyan further elaborated. He deemed the success scored by the Conference as success for all sectors and individuals who had participated in the Conference for the purpose of enriching scientific activities, supporting the heath sector, increasing health service efficiency and serving health practitioners and professionals. Al-Zuhaiyyan further indicated that the Conference had enabled participants to be acquainted with SCHS strategic objectives of protecting and enhancing healthcare in Saudi Arabia via skilled health practitioners with the highest qualification standards and the best practices". Participants were familiarized, as well, with SCHS endeavors for achieving the national health practitioners' ambitions, satisfying their professional needs and improving their capabilities, he pointed out. As part of the activities of the second day of the Conference, ad hoc workshops were held. A number of trainees and health practitioners and professionals participated in these workshops. Participants were acquainted with some technical aspects of training, examinations and assessment. The skills required by trainees in the medical field were also tackled. In the "Standup Medics" item, a number of creative ideas were displayed in the field of medical education and enhancement of community health. Ten minutes were allocated for each participant to display his/her innovative thoughts and ideas. In conclusion of the Conference, numerous winners in the conference were honored.
