About
I believe that my career has spanned all three ideals of high quality care, education and research.
I have several appointments
- Family Physician (FP)
- Lecturer in Family Medicine at Cairo University
- FP trainer and Scientific Supervisor and member of the Egyptian Board of Family Medicine, which runs the specialist training programme leading to MRCGP [INT].
- A member of the Arab Institute for Continuous Professional Development which awards a professional diploma of family medicine.
I practise as a FP in several settings: a state sector clinic at the Cairo University, company based practices
I pay attention to education and empowerment especially to patients with chronic conditions. While important for all FPs, it is particularly important in my practice because I have an interest in the care of the elderly and non-communicable diseases (NCD).
MRCGP [INT] also encouraged me to strive to improve quality continuously. I undertook additional training, such as ultrasound of the abdomen, to expand the services I can offer my patients. I have introduced a series of innovations in my places of work, such as the use of peak flow meters.
I have been an important participant in the launch of two clinical projects. In 2016, I helped to launch a FM clinical department at Tabibi 247,Egypt with the training help of UK based Primary Care International. I was at the centre of the project, embedding those aspects of FM not usually seen in Egypt: core training on NCDs and consultation skills, and a process of meticulous case review and reflection. In 2017, I helped introduce a diabetes primary care community unit at the North Area Armed Forces Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. My involvement in quality improvement included: revision of the unit layout and its equipment; developing guidelines; training FPs; developing community campaigns for screening; and recording videos on diabetes self-management and education.
Throughout this time, I have kept an active self-directed programme of learning. I find online learning a particularly suitable method of accessing modern, international information for my situation in Egypt. The two modalities I use are the RCGP eLearning modules and open access online courses (Massive Open Online Course, MOOC). The value the RCGP modules for being up to date and relevant to clinical practice. I have taken MOOCs in epidemiology,teaching, research, scientific writing, evidence based medicine, management, leadership, presentation. I am open to cutting edge subjects. One MOOC that I gave was The use of smartphone technology in medical practice and Life Long Learning at Rwaq.org and Udemy.com
I have applied online and modern learning methods to FM training. In my capacity as a trainer and scientific supervisor, I organise small group learning for trainees. I set the group problem-solving scenarios then follow up with information from an authoritative source. The source I value are the RCGP eLearning modules to which I subscribe. I had not appreciated how innovative and sound this method of teaching was for Egypt until a recent visit by MRCGP [INT] external assessors pointed this out. I believe I need to consider how I can share good practice like this with other trainers and educators. I have been keen to encourage active learning through interactive sessions, case studies, role play, and training in the clinical setting.
I have trained doctors to work abroad and also trained doctors from abroad, such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Libya and Iraq. I have learnt a lot from these exchanges as well as contributing to care in those countries.
I have undertaken research myself and am now in a position to supervise research. I completed my MD in 2014 on “The Effectiveness of Foot Care Education on People with Type 2 Diabetes at Family Medicine Clinics, Cairo University Hospitals”.
I believe that the future status of FM in Egypt depends on building a strong academic foundation with a research presence.
To that end, I have taken on the supervision of Masters and MD theses at Cairo university and Masters theses at Assiut university.