Since 2005, AOSpine Middle East Faculty have participated in various levels of faculty training. What started out as "Tips for Trainers" has now evolved into the Faculty Education Program (FEP), the old "Tips for Chairpersons" has been reworked to create the Chairpersons Education Program (CEP), and most recently, surgeons from the region have been offered the chance to participate in the highest level of program, the Leader Education Program (LEP).

 

Due to the limited budget within the region, not everyone interested in participating is able to attend a faculty development program, however, staff and surgeons are constantly trying to improve this situation by offering some form of training for enthusiastic local surgeons. In some cases, the advantages of the program are not immediately evident, so we asked a previous participant of various faculty development programs to share with us their experiences.

 

​AOSpine Faculty Education Program, Dubai, December 2015AOSpine Faculty Education Program, Dubai, December 2015AOSpine Chairperson Education Program, Prague, February 2017AOSpine Training for Faculty Course, Jeddah, September 2015AOSpine Training for Faculty Course, Jeddah, September 2015AOSpine Faculty Training Program in Iran, April 20156 - 6<>

Shahzad Shamim, Pakistan:

"My association with AOSpine has been short but fruitful. Of the many aspects of this organization, one area that distinguishes it from most other spine related societies and organizations is its commitment to education and improving patient care. So when I was invited to the FEP in Dubai last year and the CEP in Prague this year, I knew my time would be well spent. Although both courses were meticulously organized, it was only after having attended the two courses that I came to realize how much attention is paid to the minutest details in planning these programs. Everything from selection of participants, precourse material/discussions, travel arrangements, choice of venue, design of meeting rooms, faculty, seating, content, slides, course dinner, etc, were all deliberate results of thoughtful planning rather than default. And the best part was that the outcome of the courses were to teach us how to organize these program ourselves. Talk about setting examples before teaching. I came home after both faculty development programs more enlightened, more eager to do better for my patients and students, and also with more friends within the global spine community."

 

Within the Middle East region, 70 surgeons have attended a faculty level training, 46 are trained chairpersons, eleven are trained educational advisors, three are members of the regional education team, and one member has experienced the LEP.