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Background Globally, less than 10% of graduating medical students select pathology as a future career. Many factors were reported from different settings to influence the choice of pathology. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that determine medical students’ preferences in choosing pathology as a future career. Methods This cross-sectional study surveyed students from three governmental medical schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire that contained demographic questions and items that addressed perceived factors that affect the choice of pathology was distributed to medical students. Collected data were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). A chi-square test was used to determine the association between independent variables and interest in pathology. Results Out of the 400 questionnaires distributed, 338 students completed the survey with a response rate of 84.5%. Overall, surgery (24%) and internal medicine (20%) were the most favored, specialties with only 5% of the students selecting pathology as their first choice. Patient-doctor interaction (72.2%) was perceived as the most important factor in not choosing pathology as a future career. Taking an elective course, younger age groups, and year in medical school were all significantly associated (p

Ali Al Qarni,1– 3 Sami Al-Nasser,4,5 Abdullah Alzahem,4– 6 Tarig Awad Mohamed4,5 1Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Hospital, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia; 2King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia; 3King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riaydh, Saudi Arabia; 5King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Dental Services, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Ali Al QarniEndocrinology and metabolism, Department Of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Hospital, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Po Box 2477, Al Ahsa, Zip, 31982, Saudi ArabiaTel +966 500133678Email qarniaa@ngha.med.saBackground: Quality improvement and patient safety (QIPS) are a global health priority. Accordingly, QIPS education in medical education became mandatory. Despite that, information about QIPS education in postgraduate training in Saudi Arabia is limited. This study aimed to explore the educational aspects of QIPS in the internal medicine residency training program at King Abdulaziz Hospital in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.Methods: This was a qualitative study employing the constructivist grounded theory approach. The sample size was determined using the theoretical saturation point, and we utilized a purposeful sampling technique. A semi-structured interview was used for data collection and was conducted between September 6 and October 20, 2020.Results: Twenty-two internal medicine trainee residents were required to serve the study purpose. The emerged themes were organized under awareness, education, barriers and opportunities and improvement priorities. Awareness of participants about the QIPS concept, importance, and value of education was found. The participants did not recognize specific dedicated QIPS education components under the structured training program. However, they recognized participation in patient safety-oriented activities but not in quality improvement activities. Consultants’ observations and written exams were perceived as the assessment tools. Barriers including time limitation and opportunities including participation in quality improvement projects were identified. Participants suggested making QIPS education mandatory under the training program as an improvement priority.Conclusion: This study highlighted the awareness of internal medicine residents of the QIPS concept, importance, and value of QIPS education. However, we found crucial gaps related to education including lack of a dedicated QIPS component under the training program. There is a need for multicenter studies to measure the magnitude of our findings for improvement of QIPS education in residency training in Saudi Arabia. This is the first study about QIPS education in residency training in Saudi Arabia up to our best knowledge.Keywords: quality improvement and patient safety, QIPS, internal medicine residency training program, QIPS curriculum

Background Many studies are available in the literature about e-health in Saudi Arabia, however, data is limited to a few organizations and does not necessarily reflect the current and potential use of e-health for health care organizations in the country. This study aimed to determine the level of awareness of Saudi medical students of the internet-based health-related information seeking and developing to support health services and significant predictors of their practice. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 440 medical students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was conducted, during October/November 2019, using a previously validated questionnaire, to assess: (1) knowledge in three domains; e-health definition (13 statements), fields of application of e-health (8 statements), methods of using e-health (7 statements), (2) attitude toward using e-health (8 statements) and (3) reported practice of e-health in medical training (5 statements). A scoring system was used to calculate the total and percentage score of knowledge, attitude, and practice for each student. Multiple regression analysis was applied to identify predictors of e-health practice. Significance was considered at p Results Of 440 medical students, the majority were females (55.7%) and from families whose monthly income was more than 10,000SR (82.8%). Overall knowledge about e-health was unsatisfactory (percentage mean score, PMS = 71.6%), with only 43.6% of students reporting a satisfactory level. However, this level was satisfactory for fields of application (Percentage mean score-PMS = 76.6%) and unsatisfactory for the definition of e-health (PMS = 70.7%) and methods of its use (PMS = 65.7%) domains. The overall attitude towards e-health use was positive (PMS = 82.3%), with nearly three-quarters of students (73.4%) reporting a positive attitude. Generally, a good level of practice of e-health was reported by students (PMS = 84.3%), with more than three-quarters of students (78.4%) reporting good practice. Adjusting for age, gender, stream, educational grade, and family monthly income, good practice was significantly predicted with higher knowledge (t = 2.22, p = 0.03) and attitude (t = 2.11, p = 0.04) scores. Conclusion This study provides basic information regarding medical students’ level of awareness of internet-based health-related information seeking and developing to support health services. More resources should be directed to elevate medical students’ knowledge and to motivate them to practice e-health using the available tools.