Oman Medical Specialty Board Residents Research Articles

Quality of Life Among Postgraduate Medical Residents in Oman: A Cross-sectional Survey.

To assess the quality of life (QoL) of medical residents enrolled in the various postgraduate programs of the Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB). The data for this cross-sectional study was collected from January to June 2022. All postgraduate residents who were enrolled in all 19 OMSB training programs were targeted. An online English version of the validated 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess the participants' self-reported QoL. The participants were 425 OMSB residents (mean age = 29.6±2.2 years), of whom 289 (68.0%) were female, 259 (60.9%) were married, and 295 (69.4%) were enrolled in medical specialties. Overall, female residents reported significantly poorer QoL than male residents in all subscales of SF-36 (p =0.001). Married residents reported lower bodily pain scores than unmarried residents (p =0.005), although the latter endorsed better physical functioning, general health, and mental health. Residents in laboratory specialties had higher scores than those in medical and surgical specialties in most QoL dimensions including physical health, role functioning, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, bodily pain, and general health (p ≤ 0.003). Psychiatry residents reported the lowest overall QoL. Postgraduate medical residents in Oman reported significant variations in QoL based on specialization, gender, and marital status. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to tackle health inequalities and improve the QoL of this population.

Burnout and Stress Among Residents in Four Gulf Cooperation Council Countries Using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and Stress Overload Scale-Short Form

Physician burnout and stress can have consequential effects on healthcare services and are a leading cause for medical errors and lower quality of care. This is the first study to assess the prevalence rates and associated variables for burnout and stress levels of medical residents in four Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries by combining the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and Stress Overload Scale-Short Form (SOS-S) as assessment tools. A cross-sectional, quantitative research method design using an online survey. This online survey was distributed to second year and above medical residents training in tertiary healthcare centres in four GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman). Eligible residents (n = 16,686) were recruited via convenience sampling. Out of 2,886 respondents, 996 responses were excluded due to incomplete information. The data was collected from 13th September 2020 to 15th November 2020. Of 1,890 included medical residents, 961 (50.8%) were females, and the mean (SD) age was 29.5 (3.2) years old. Personal burnout prevalence rates were the highest, followed by work-related and patient-related burnout (98.4%, 97.8%, and 79.3%, respectively). Arab and Kuwait Board residents had the highest rates of burnout across all domains. Stress overload scores were high with 51.6% of residents at high risk for illness, with Saudi Board residents most likely to be at high risk and Oman Medical Specialty Board residents at low risk. Burnout predictors included: no access to a wellness programme (p = 0.000), longer shifts (p = 0.000), high personal vulnerability (p = 0.000), and intention to leave (p = 0.05). Our findings show that burnout and stress rates are high for GCC residents, suggesting a significant problem for residents to provide the highest quality of healthcare possible. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of residency wellness interventions to address this issue.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward research among Oman medical specialty board residents.

OBJECTIVES:The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has mandated residency programs to teach the basic principles of research in residency programs. This study aimed to assess the research knowledge, attitude, and practice among the Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) residents. Secondarily, it aimed to asses associations between different factors and research-related knowledge, attitude, and practice.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This cross-sectional study was conducted among all residents who were involved in OMSB various training programs in the academic year 2018/2019. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used. Hard copies of the questionnaire were delivered to residents in addition to the online forms. Data were entered using EpiData entry software and analyzed using SPSS version 24.RESULTS:A total of 256 residents participated in the study with a response rate of 46.5%. Around 55% of included residents have poor knowledge level, and 44% have moderate knowledge level. The study showed that the majority (93%) of the residents have positive research attitude. However, the practice domain showed that only 27.8% of residents have published articles as first or coauthor. Lack of time was reported as a major hindrance in nearly two-thirds of the residents. Lack of training (56%), lack of research-focused curriculum (47%), and lack of effective supervision (46%) were among major reported obstacles beside others.CONCLUSIONS:This study showed that OMSB residents have inadequate knowledge and lagging research practices, but a positive attitude toward research. This emphasizes the need for research-focused curricula and further training. In addition, applying new regulations, including mandatory manuscript submission, may improve the practice status.

Internet Addiction and Depression Among Postgraduate Residents: A cross-sectional survey.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to estimate the prevalence of social media usage and Internet addiction among Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) residents and to determine associations between Internet addiction, sociodemographic characteristics and symptoms of depression.MethodsThis cross-sectional study took place between January and March 2017. All 499 residents enrolled in OMSB training programmes during the 2016–2017 academic year were targeted. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to collect information concerning sociodemographic characteristics. In addition, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Internet Addiction Test were used to screen for depression and Internet addiction, respectively.ResultsA total of 399 residents participated in the study (response rate: 80%). Overall, 115 residents (28.8%) had varying degrees of depression and 149 (37.3%) were addicted to the Internet; moreover, among those addicted, 54 (36.2%) had depression. While no significant associations were observed between Internet addiction and sociodemographic characteristics, the association between Internet addiction and depression was statistically significant (P = 0.012).ConclusionInternet addiction was clearly detected among many OMSB residents, with a significant association observed between Internet addiction and depression. Although a causal link between these two variables cannot be established as depression is multifactorial in origin, the disadvantages and harmful effects of excessive Internet and social media usage need to be addressed. Further research on the consequences of Internet addiction and its effect on quality of life and academic achievement is recommended.

Perception and Usage of Point of Care Devices: A Cross-sectional Study Targeting Residents and Trainers in Oman.

ObjectivesThe use of mobile technologies and handheld computers by physicians has increased worldwide. However, there are limited studies globally regarding training physicians on the use of such devices in clinical practice. In addition, no studies have been conducted previously in Oman addressing this issue among postgraduate medical trainees and trainers. The present study explores the practice and perception of resident doctors and trainers towards the use of mobile technologies and handheld devices in healthcare settings in Oman.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire disseminated via email to all residents and trainers in five major training programs of the Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB). The questionnaire explored three main areas; perception, usage, and perceived barriers of handheld devices.ResultsOverall, 61.4% of the residents and 28.3% of the trainers responded to the questionnaire. Both types of participants agreed that the use of such devices positively affects clinical decision-making. In total, 98.8% of the participating residents and 86.7% of the trainers frequently used handheld devices. Both OMSB residents and trainers agreed that lack of time, training, and applications were the most common factors limiting the use of these devices. Participants emphasized the need for constructive training regarding the use of handheld devices as healthcare resources.ConclusionsPoint-of-care devices are positively perceived and frequently used by OMSB trainees and trainers. However, constructive training on the effective usage of these devices in clinical decision-making is needed. Further future studies to evaluate the impact of using such devices in patient care should be conducted.

Prevalence of Depression among Oman Medical Specialty Board Residents

I read with great interest the paper published by Al-Houqani et al,1 in the March 2019 issue of the Oman Medical Journal, which investigated the prevalence of depression among Oman Medical Specialty Board residents. The results indicated that the prevalence of depression was 28.8%, and the correlates were gender, level of residency, sleep duration, and exercise.

Prevalence of burnout of residents in oman medical specialty board: A cross-sectional study in Oman

Objective: Burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion and a sense of low personal accomplishment. Our aim was to study the prevalence of burnout among all residents of Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB), to increase awareness of burnout among trainers and trainees not only within Oman but also in other countries with similar residency programs. This would help residency directors to increase the performance of their residents. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with residents of OMSB involved in 17 training programs from April 2018 to April 2019. The residents were invited to answer a validated burnout questionnaire (Maslach Burnout Inventory). Only exclusion criteria were programs with at least three residents. Results: A total of 343 of 555 residents (61.8% of the total OMSB residents) participated in the study. The response rate was 100% of those who got the survey. The overall burnout rate was 16.6%. From postgraduate years (PGY) 1–5, there was a sudden spike of burnout at PGY 2 and PGY 5 at 17.6% and 25%, respectively. Emergency residents had the highest incidence of burnout at 46.2%. Burnouts among surgical, medical, and diagnostic specialties were 13.9%, 19.0%, and 12.8%, respectively. Chi-squared test showed no significant association between burnout and marital status, gender, or number of children at 0.18, 0.88, and 0.55, respectively. The percentage of residents who reported emotional exhaustion was 61.2%, while the highest percentage of depersonalization was 42.6%. Conclusion: Emergency medicine program burnout is alarming. PGY 2 and 5 show higher burnout. The overall burnout in OMSB is low.

Trait Emotional Intelligence and Its Correlates in Oman Medical Specialty Board Residents.

As part of the globalization of medical education, residency programs in Oman have adopted competency-based standards by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education International (ACGME-I). Correctly perceiving the emotions of others and managing one's own emotions are essential to high-quality patient care. We tested the reliability and construct validity of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF), and assessed trait Emotional Intelligence (EI) in Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) residents in multiple specialties. We explored for correlations with trainees' sociodemographic background data. We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study between February and August 2017. Participants were OMSB residents. We administered the TEIQue-SF and collected sociodemographic data from participants. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of trait EI. The present cohort scored high in the trait EI subscale of Well-being, followed by Sociability, Self-control, and Emotionality. Among sociodemographic factors, female gender and high income were significant predictors of TEIQue-SF's Well-being subscale and high income and living in a rented home were significant predictors of the Sociability subscale. This is the first study conducted among medical residents in Oman regarding trait EI and its correlates. Our findings of overall high EI and several socioeconomic predictors echo the literature on the assessment of EI in trainees. The findings add to the evidence of cross-cultural applicability of instruments to measure trait EI, and use assessments of EI in resident selection and education.

Personality traits and specialty choice among Oman medical specialty board residents

IntroductionUnderstanding factors that determine the choice of a specialty among junior doctors are crucial for career counseling and candidates selection. Most studies focused on working hours, income and other lifestyle factors. However, few studies have explored the role of personality traits of the doctors in influencing specialty choice.AimsTo examine the relation between personality traits and specialty choice among residents at Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB).MethodologyResidents from different specialties were invited to participate in this study by completing Eysenck Personality Questionnaire – Revised (EPQ-R) and Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) & Behavioral Activation System (BAS) scale.ResultsA total of 255 residents participated in the study (M = 40%, F = 60%). Surgical residents scored significantly higher on the Psychoticism sub-scale (P-value, 0.002) and the Behavioral Activation System (BAS) scale compared to nonsurgical residents (P-value, 0.05). On the other hand, medical residents scored higher in Behavioral Inhibition System sub-scale suggesting a tendency towards avoidance of anxiety-provoking situation (P = 0.023). Concerning neuroticism trait, psychiatrists had the lowest score indicating more emotional stability. Residents from diagnostic specialties score the highest in BAS–Fun seeking with a difference reaching the level of statistical significance.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest a possible correlation between career choice and personality traits. Therefore, adapting a well-constructed, efficient and standardized selection approach is of great importance. A reasonable framework for conceptualizing specialty choice would be recognizing one's own personality traits along with exploring social and technical factors related to a particular specialty.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Knowledge and Attitudes of Oman Medical Specialty Board Residents towards Evidence-Based Medicine.

This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) residents towards Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM). This cross sectional study was conducted on all OMSB residents through a self-administered online questionnaire between October 2012 and March 2013. An electronic survey was designed to identify and determine residents' knowledge and attitudes toward the use of EBM. The survey was completed by 93 (21%) OMSB residents, 76 (82%) of whom took part in continuing education courses and 50 (54%) belonged to professional practice-oriented organizations. On average, the residents were reportedly involved in patient care for approximately 70% (Standard Deviation [SD] 17%) of their time, while 14% (SD 12%) participated in research activities. The results showed that 53 respondents (57%) were competent users of medical search engines compared to 23 residents (25%) who rated their skills as neutral. Sixteen percent of the respondents strongly agreed and 46% only agreed that the facility supports the use of current research in practice. Fourteen percent strongly agreed and fifty-three percent only agreed that the foundation of EBM is part of OMSB academic preparation. On the other hand, 17% of the respondents thought that insufficient time is always a barrier against EBM, while another 27% perceived insufficient time as a usual barrier. The lack of information resources was reported to always be a barrier in 11% of the respondents while 32% thought that it usually acts as a barrier. Time constraints and skills in EBM were found to be the two major obstacles. This study was, however, limited by the low response rate of the survey; thus larger studies with a previously validated questionnaire should be conducted in the future.

Preparing and Conducting Objective Structured Clinical Examination for Oman Medical Specialty Board R1-R4 Residents

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) has been a common tool of assessment in both undergraduate and postgraduate medicine, and has been reported to have both higher reliability and validity over the oral exam. In addition, another advantage is that it reduces luck by standardizing both examiners and patients. This article describes our experience in organizing and conducting an OSCE for Oman Medical Specialty Board residents in Psychiatry.