Quality control of postgraduate medical training in Iraq

Abstract EN

Objective: Good quality of postgraduate medical studies is vital in providing a good standard of medical care.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the standard of the Iraqi medical postgraduate qualification(s) in Iraq and plan improvements.

Methods: A questionnaire survey about the quality of training for medical specialists qualified through the local postgraduate.

Twenty-six specialist joined this study.

Results: The questionnaires were analysed.

Seventeen specialists felt that the training centres did not have an acceptable standard (65%), however among the teaching hospitals in Iraq, Baghdad medical city teaching hospital was considered to be of a fair standard.

Nine specialists thought that their trainers were of a good standard (34%), another four thought that the standard of the trainers was variable (15%) and the remaining thought that the competence and attitude of the trainers were not of a reasonable standard (49%).

Eight specialists considered that the management of the board was good (30%), the remaining considered that there is no enough scrutiny.

All the specialists considered that the training in the past decade was better than the current one and that it continues deteriorating.

Conclusions: The Arab and Iraqi board faculty need to audit the training standard and make necessary changes for improvement.

Regular assessment of the quality of hospitals, trainee progression and the trainers is necessary in order to improve the quality of our specialist doctors.