Identifying Core Obstetric and Gynecologic Skills Required of, and Used by, Graduates of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University

Background: Acquisition of core practical skills by students assures quality and relevance of medical education. Purpose: To determine whether students and interns are acquiring core obstetric and gynecologic skills. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was sent to obstetric and gynecology clerkship coordinators (n = 3), consultants (n = 14), residents (n = 13); interns (n = 13) and final-year students (n = 29; n = 93, response rate = 77%, N = 72). The questionnaire contained a stimulus list of 21 clinical, 8 communication, and 5 professional skills. Results: Of 34 listed skills, 24 were identified as core skills. At least 50% of consultants, faculty, and residents expected 28 core skills to be covered in the undergraduate program. At least 50% of interns believed that 21 core skills had been acquired at graduation. Conclusion: Our curriculum is facilitating acquisition of core obstetric and gynecologic skills.