The Medical Career Day, organised annually by the Professional Skills Development Program at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences of Arabian Gulf University (AGU), recently concluded its latest session. The event aims to educate medical students about global training opportunities available after graduation and to provide insights into joining medical residency programs and selecting future specialisations. Participants gain valuable perspectives from peers who have navigated this transition, as well as insights from experienced doctors and consultants across various specialties.

During the opening ceremony at the Princess Al Jawhara Centre for Molecular Medicine, Genetics and Hereditary Diseases the Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Prof Abdelhalim Deifalla, emphasised the significance of this day as a moment to reflect on past challenges and anticipate future opportunities in various medical fields. He noted the rapid advancements in medicine and technology, stating, “Future doctors will work in fields that may not yet exist, driven by innovations like 3D printing, AI augmented reality, medical robotics, and breakthroughs in gene editing and stem cell therapy.” 

He highlighted that these developments will transform healthcare delivery and encourage today’s students to make informed professional choices. He also stressed that medicine transcends technical skills and medical knowledge. It requires empathy, compassion, and effective communication with patients who seek understanding and care. He urged students to leverage Career Day as an opportunity to connect with experts and learn from their experiences, expressing gratitude to the distinguished speakers who enriched the event. He expressed optimism that the future of medicine will be bright, guided by innovative and leadership-oriented future doctors.

Following this, Dr Yasin Tayem and Dr Deeba Shamim Jairajpuri discussed the importance of medical students familiarising themselves with various specialties to build a strong foundation of knowledge, which enables them to select fields that align with their interests and strengths. This familiarity enhances their understanding of diverse patient needs and equips them to make informed medical decisions throughout their careers.

The event highlighted the diversity of medical specialties as crucial for fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills, essential in the medical field. Understanding how different specialties interact prepares students to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams, ultimately improving patient care. In addition, the diversity of medical specialties is the cornerstone of developing critical thinking and problem solving among students, which is vital in the medical field. By knowing how different specialties work and interact with each other, students are able to work collectively in multidisciplinary medical teams, which enhances the quality of care provided to patients.

Medical Career Day featured discussions on selecting a medical specialty and what differentiates each one, with presentations on training and specialisation experiences in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Gulf countries. Speakers shared insights on postgraduate medical studies and their varied experiences. 

This event is part of an integrated program designed to develop leadership and professional skills for medical students from their first to sixth year. It focuses on enhancing communication, teamwork, and stress management skills, alongside professional education that intersects with related medical specialties. The program also aims to expand students' networks with academics and specialists, ultimately enhancing their awareness as they pursue their studies at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences.