Dr. Rachid Bendriss with pre-medical and foundation students.
Doha: Sixty-three pre-medical and foundation students from Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) experienced the life of a working doctor when they had the opportunity to shadow physicians at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Sidra Medicine as part of the Pre-Medical Observership Program 2022-2023.
The programme aims to expose students early in their educational journey to the healthcare system in Qatar and familiarise them with the daily practices of medical professionals in various specialties. The programme also promotes early career exploration and student awareness of the challenges physicians face every day.
Students spent two weeks of their winter break at HMC and Sidra Medicine, where they shadowed physicians during their daily clinical rounds, discussed cases, diagnoses, and possible treatments, and met with patients.
At HMC, the students explored clinics such as medicine; surgery; radiology; paediatrics; emergency; and trauma, while at Sidra Medicine, departments included allergy/immunology; infectious disease; gastroenterology; obstetrics/gynaecology and women’s services; neurology; emergency; endocrinology; plastic/reconstructive surgery; pulmonology; hematology oncology; general paediatrics; and ENT.
Upon completion of the observership, students submitted a reflective essay and received a certificate of participation.
Dr. Rachid Bendriss, Associate Dean for Foundation, Student Outreach and Educational Development Programs, said: “The programme is designed to both educate and inspire our pre-medical and foundation students by offering them a glimpse into a physician’s life. This opportunity also encourages students to explore different areas and identify their specialties of interest. We are grateful to HMC and Sidra Medicine for providing our students with valuable practical experience.”
