Current status of dermatology residency training in Saudi Arabia: trainees' perspectives

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to look at different aspects of dermatology residency programmes in Saudi Arabia from the residents' perspective. Self-administered questionnaires about future plans, academic activities, examinations, training, workload, surgical procedures, residents' rights and satisfaction were distributed to all 27 residents in all training centres during March-May 2004; 22 (81%) responded. The survey found that 50% of residents were not satisfied with their training and felt they were inadequately trained. Experience of performing certain procedures was much less than for residents in a similar study in the United States of America, and 50% of residents had not received any dermatologic surgery training. Moreover, 36% of residents had been verbally humiliated during their training.