I had the pleasure to participate with my colleague Dr. Mahmoud Khreishe, in the AMEE (Association of Medical Education in Europe) conference in Barcelona between 27th-31st August. This was an exceptional international convention of medical professionals, academics, teachers and students, all interested in developing medical education. Most interesting experience for me in this conference was taking part of ESME (Essential Skills in Medical Education) workshop; a training that provides a strong foundation in the basic competencies of a medical teacher. These competencies include effective teaching, assessment, and curriculum planning. Such competencies are very helpful in my local involvement in teaching university students, training medical professionals on the integration of mental health in primary health care especially at the Ministry of Health and assessing doctors specializing in psychiatry.  Dr. Mahmoud and I are considering to follow up with the AMEE-ESMEE course and submit, within six months, a post course report describing how we apply the ESMEE competencies in our ongoing teaching activities, hoping to obtain the AMEE-ESMEE Certificate in Medical Education. We are very thankful for this wonderful opportunity granted to us with the support of IMET 2000 and eager to use what we have learnt to advance mental health education in Palestine; thus we pass the good experience on to others and foster positive changes in the medical education culture in Palestine.

Samah Jabr MD, Head of Mental Health Unit, MoH
Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist
Assistant Clinical Professor, George Washington University