Postgraduate Medical Education

This residency program is designed to prepare trainees to practice medical microbiology and, in addition, offer training in providing consultations in the diagnosis and therapy of infectious diseases. It provides training in basic microbiology, clinical microbiology, infection control, laboratory management and clinical infectious diseases.  The program is under the administration of King Saud University fellowship in pathology (Microbiology). Trainees rotate in major teaching hospitals in Riyadh.

The Microbiology laboratory at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre is a full-service laboratory managing over 1 million specimens per year in all different sections. It offers full identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of all clinically significant bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal and yeast isolates. Viral load monitoring is performed for HIV, HCV, HBV, HCV, EBV and CMV viruses. Direct identification of mycobacteria, multidrug resistant isolates, C. difficile, significant viral and atypical respiratory pathogens, HCV and HBV genotyping, and HBV mutations analysis are performed routinely. During rotation at the Microbiology laboratory, residents will participate in bench rotations, infection control section, central sterilization and supply areas, and clinical rotation with the infectious disease service.

The Microbiology program works closely with the Section of Infectious Diseases. It runs journal clubs and city-wide rounds jointly, including weekly plate rounds and monthly Microbiology and Adult Infectious Diseases rounds and city-wide Pediatric Infectious Disease rounds. Participation in clinical conferences and ward rounds is encouraged.