Imam Abdulrahman University launches the first leadership track for family physicians
In a pioneering step to enhance the efficiency of the healthcare sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University , represented by the Center for Family and Community Medicine and in strategic partnership with the Leadership Center, launched the “Leadership in Healthcare” program. This unique initiative, the first of its kind, targets trainees in the Family Medicine Fellowship and the Saudi Board, aiming to integrate advanced clinical skills with modern institutional leadership thinking.
The context of health transformation and Vision 2030
The launch of this program comes at a time when the Saudi healthcare sector is undergoing a radical transformation in line with the goals of Vision 2030 and the Health Sector Transformation Program. The new healthcare model is fundamentally based on primary care and family medicine as the cornerstone of the healthcare system. This underscores the critical need not only for clinically competent physicians, but also for leaders capable of managing healthcare systems, leading health clusters, and improving the patient experience. This program aims to bridge the gap between clinical practice and leadership management.
Details of the launch and the leadership attendance
The program was inaugurated by Dr. Asim Al-Ansari, Vice President for Development and Community Partnership, amidst a notable attendance of prominent health and academic leaders from the Eastern Province. The launch ceremony was also attended by Professor Dr. Mahdi Abu Madini, Executive Director of the Center for Family and Community Medicine, Major General Dr. Khalid Al-Faraidi, and Dr. Saad Al-Amri, Executive Director of the University Medical City, reflecting the strong institutional support for this strategic initiative.
Program structure and training pathways
Dr. Al-Ansari explained that the program is designed as a comprehensive three-year training program, not just short-term courses. It adopts a progressive capacity-building methodology to ensure high-quality and sustainable outcomes, aiming to empower family physicians to perform vital roles that extend beyond traditional clinical practice to include effective leadership within the primary care system and participation in health decision-making.
Scientific topics and targeted skills
The training program, through a series of interactive workshops, covers specific and vital topics including:
- Mechanisms for strategic decision-making in healthcare institutions.
- Managing multidisciplinary medical teams efficiently.
- The art of leadership communication and crisis management.
- Skills in managing organizational change.
- Applying global quality and patient safety standards.
This intensive content aims to enhance professional responsibility and develop strategic thinking among future doctors, so that they are able to keep pace with the rapidly evolving challenges in the healthcare environment.
Investing in human capital
For his part, Dr. Adam Al-Dwayan, the program supervisor, affirmed that this project represents a practical response to the demands of the competitive healthcare job market and a strategic initiative aligned with human capital development plans. The program embodies a model of integration between academic and training pathways, ensuring the graduation of a generation of leading physicians who possess the clinical competence and administrative capabilities to make a tangible positive impact on society and hospitals, and to enhance the quality of services provided to beneficiaries.
