title: Evaluation of the orthopedic residency training program in Saudi Arabia and comparison with a selected Canadian residency program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary aim of the present study was to assess the quality of the Saudi Orthopedic Residency Program.
  
  
  METHODS
  As a comparator, a cross-sectional survey involving 76 Saudi residents from different training centers in Saudi Arabia namely; Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, Abha, and Dammam and 15 Canadian.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that Canadian residents read more peer-reviewed, scholarly articles compared with Saudi residents (P=0.002). The primary surgical role for residents was to hold retractors during surgery. The survey respondents strongly supported the ability to recommend removal of incompetent trainers. Saudi trainees were more apprehensive of examinations than Canadian trainees (P<0.0001). Most residents preferred studying multiple-choice questions before examinations. Saudi and Canadian participants considered their programs to be overcrowded. Unlike Canadian participants, Saudi trainees reported an inadequate level of training (P<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Educational resources should be readily accessible and a mentorship system monitoring residents' progress should be developed. The role of the resident must be clearly defined and resident feedback should not be ignored. Given the importance of mastering basic orthopedic operative skills for residents, meaningful remedial action should be taken with incompetent trainers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulaziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Ahaideb
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Hamza M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Alrabai
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Osama A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Alrehaili
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulaziz N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Aljurayyan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ranyah M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Alsaif
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Nizar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Algarni
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Hazem M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Al-Khawashki
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulrahman D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Algarni
keywords: evaluation; medical education; orthopedic board; residency program; training