Neurosurgery Residency Program

The Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard – Health Affairs comprises six Consultants. In addition, there are – three Associate Consultants, three Assistant Consultants, and two Staff Physicians, each of whom has his unique expertise.

The division is headed by Dr. Ahmed Al Ferayan, a graduate of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. Dr. Al Ferayan is well known for his expertise in neuro-endoscopic surgery and skull base surgery.

In addition to the training of residents within the specialty, the division provides a neurosurgical experience for residents from General Surgery, Oral & Maxillofacial (OMF), ENT, and other disciplines.

Residents enjoy a uniquely collegial relationship with the staff. There is daily resident teaching – at morning conferences, on the wards, and in the OR. There are many cases in all degrees of complexity, including brain tumors, pediatric neurosurgery and complex spine surgery, and an extraordinary volume of trauma cases.

Residency training is enhanced by a strong collaboration with colleagues in allied specialties, including Neurology, Pediatric Neurology, Neuroradiology (Interventional Neuroradiology), Neuropathology, and Intensive Care.

Mission & Vision

The Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard – Health Affairs has the following commitment :

1. To provide expert care to patients with neurosurgical diseases.
2. To educate and train competent and proficient neurosurgeons.
3. To encourage residents in the development of a lifelong commitment to teaching, scholarship, and research.

Goals

1. Patient Care. Residents should be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for treating their health problems.
2. Medical Knowledge. Residents should be well-grounded in the basic sciences applicable to the specialty, e.g., Neuroanatomy, neuropathology, and neuropathology.
3. Residents should demonstrate communication and interpersonal skills that will allow them to communicate effectively with patients and families and enhance their relationship with their nursing and medical colleagues and the senior staff.
4. Residents should demonstrate professionalism in their behavior and appearance and adhere strictly to ethical and moral principles.​

Overview of Training Levels

Academic / Research

All residents are encouraged to initiate and/or participate in clinical research, and the staff will attempt to guide and support them to present and publish results.

Theoretical

A half academic day every week to complete the syllabus in 2 years.

Essential Patient Safety Tips (Special for the Program):

Be aware of and actively participate in site marking and time-out protocols for surgical procedures.

DAILY & WEEKLY MEETINGS AND ROUNDS / ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES:

Contact Us:

DR. ABDULAZIZ AL ARIFI

Program Director, Neurosurgery Residency Training Program

Consultant, Division of Neurosurgery

Department of Surgery – MC 1446

King Abdulaziz Medical City

Ministry of National Guard – Health Affairs

• P.O. Box: 22490 Riyadh 11426
• Tel. No.: (966) 011 801 1111 ext. 15484
• Fax No.: (966) 011 801 5700
• E-mail Add: arifia@ngha.med.sa / alarifi100@hotmail.com
  

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

• Neurosciences Grand Rounds: Neurosurgery and Neurology weekly joint meeting (Clinical case management conference). These occur every Monday, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m., Small Auditorium.
• A designated faculty member will guide the discussion.
• The Chief Resident and the senior Residents are responsible for presenting case(s) to be discussed rotating between the teams.
• Resident Core Curriculum: All Residents, medical students, and designated faculty will attend daily morning sessions. This takes place every Sunday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday, 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. and Monday, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. in the OR Surgery Conference Room, 4th Floor Surgical Tower.

​ROUNDS

• The day begins at 0700. Every team will start in Neuro ICU, move to the floor and finish in ICU.
• Daily morning report begins at 0800 hours, and attendance is mandatory. The resident on-call overnight is responsible for preparing and presenting admissions and consultations.
• The Residents should write daily notes for every patient, including the treatment plan and plan for discharge.
• New cases and admission should be handed over to the team during morning rounds.
• All Residents should discuss patient issues and management with the Senior Resident or Assistant Consultant before they leave (or they must at least hand over to the On-Call person).