Evaluation of exposure to primary care clinics during Family Medicine residency: evidence from a training program in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background. Evaluation is a crucial element to ensure the achievement of the program objectives, maintenance of training standards and to provide feedback for academic activities. Objectives. we aimed to examine the extent and patterns of clinical exposure by family medicine residents in a residency training program while they carried out their clinical rotations in accredited urban primary health care centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Material and methods. This study involved the Saudi Board of Family Medicine training program under the Department of Public Health, General Directorate of Health Affairs in Riyadh, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. The study was based on a retrospective analysis of data collected during routine supervision of clinical training during family medicine rotations during six months period (November 2018-April 2019). Diagnoses recorded by the residents as free texts were converted to the closest medical diagnosis or 'presenting complaints' as per ICD-10. Cases attended are presented as percentages.