The Clinical Master’s Programme in Family Medicine at the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), celebrated the graduation of its third cohort of physicians specialising in this vital field. This milestone coincided with the completion of the first year examinations for the fourth cohort of students. 

The Clinical Master’s Programme in Family Medicine is accredited by the World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) and offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines clinical training, applied scientific research, and academic guidance. The programme effectively utilises technology to monitor student performance and provide targeted, student-centred support, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to excel in their professional careers.

On the occasion, Dr Mohamed Hany Shehata, Chair of the Academic Committee for the programme and Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, noted that over 80 percent of graduates from the programme have secured positions as Family Medicine specialists in primary healthcare centres across the Kingdom of Bahrain. Others have ventured into the private sector as healthcare providers or joined specialised training programmes, such as the Emergency Medicine residency programme.

He stated: “The programme focuses on a range of core competencies that extend beyond medical knowledge. It encompasses leadership, effective communication, teamwork and lifelong learning skills, alongside an understanding of community and patient needs. A unique component of the programme involves research projects conducted by groups of students aimed at improving the quality of primary health services based on a realistic analysis of needs. The programme has also produced numerous research papers by graduates and faculty members in high-impact academic journals, evidencing the quality of education and training provided. Additionally, feedback on graduate performance in various primary care centres has been encouraging, and the programme offers an opportunity for general practitioners and recent graduates from across the GCC countries to enhance their career paths and research capabilities.”

The programme was launched in 2020 under a joint agreement between AGU, the Supreme Health of Council (SHC), the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), and the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The objective was to train and employ 80 Bahraini physicians across two cohorts to obtain a Clinical Master’s degree in Family Medicine. Subsequently, the programme continued to accept applicants based on the same accredited standards of admission and training aimed at bolstering a comprehensive and sustainable healthcare system that aligns with current developments in family medicine.

Graduates expressed their gratitude to the Arabian Gulf University for paving the way for their academic and professional success in completing this professional programme. They highlighted the significant impact the programme has had in honing their medical skills in the field, thereby enhancing their practical knowledge through patient care and managing diverse medical cases in health centres. This preparation has made them fully ready to embark on their professional journeys, serving patients and providing the best possible healthcare.