How to Prepare for the SCFHS General Surgery Interview

Interview Breakdown for General Surgery

The SCFHS Consultant Interview for General Surgery is a crucial step for any foreign-trained surgeon seeking to practise at the consultant level in Saudi Arabia. Unlike written or computer-based assessments, this interview is an oral, panel-led examination designed to evaluate both your clinical depth and your adaptability to the healthcare standards within the Kingdom.

It is conducted by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialities (SCFHS), which regulates medical licensing and classification. For general surgeons, the panel places a strong emphasis on case-based reasoning, the application of up-to-date surgical protocols, ethical sensitivity, and the ability to make safe decisions under pressure.

Interview Format Overview

Key Notes:

• The interview takes place in Saudi Arabia at SCFHS-approved venues. While remote options were explored during the COVID-19 period, the current standard practice is in-person assessment.
• The structure is oral-only, with no written or computer-based component.
• Panellists focus on clinical logic, familiarity with Saudi practice norms (especially Ministry of Health protocols), and cultural sensitivity in patient care.
• Applicants are expected to integrate evidence-based clinical reasoning with practical judgment for resource-appropriate settings in Saudi Arabia.

Sample Cases from PrepMedico Mock Sessions (PrepMedico team needs to update this, below ones are placeholders)

PrepMedico’s mentorship-driven interview course replicates the real SCFHS format, ensuring candidates face relevant and timely questions. These include:

Case 1: Obstructed Inguinal Hernia

• A 55-year-old with a tender, irreducible hernia and early sepsis. Expected to cover pre-operative resuscitation, decision to operate locally, consent, postoperative planning, and antibiotic use.

Case 2: Blunt Abdominal Trauma (Splenic Injury)

• A young patient with a positive FAST scan and unstable vitals. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in ATLS protocol, conservative vs surgical management, monitoring and ICU referral.

Case 3: Postoperative Sepsis/Wound Dehiscence

• Presentation of fever and purulent discharge post-laparotomy. The expected approach includes sepsis work‑up, imaging, source control, antibiotic management, and possible reoperation.

Case 4: Ethical Dilemma

• A competent patient refuses a life-saving operation for religious reasons. Assessment will centre on consent, ethical boundaries, family involvement and proper documentation.

These scenarios test not only your clinical knowledge but also your ability to present structured, culturally aware and ethically sound responses.

What These Questions Test

• Clinical accuracy and alignment with evidence-based guidelines
• Safety-first thinking in resource-constrained settings
• Cultural and ethical sensitivity in complex decision-making
• Ability to communicate decisions clearly and respectfully

The PrepMedico mock panels are developed by mentors who have faced the SCFHS interview themselves, ensuring that the scenarios and discussion styles closely mirror real experiences.

Study Planning: The 4–6 Week Preparation Approach

The key to succeeding in the General Surgery interview lies in systematic, focused preparation that combines clinical revision, local protocol awareness, and verbal practice. A four- to six-week plan is sufficient for most candidates, especially those already working in surgical practice.

Week-by-Week Study Plan

Key Resources and Guidelines

• PrepMedico’s recorded lectures and viva sessions via their digital library.
• SCFHS Professional Classification Manual: essential for classification criteria.
• MOH and SCOEN (Saudi Council of Emergency and Acute Care) protocols.
• American College of Surgeons trauma guidelines adapted to the local context.
• WHO Surgical Safety Checklist for surgical practice standards.

This structured plan allows candidates to build gradually, revisiting complex topics in a spoken format and incorporating feedback through practice.

The Importance of Mock Interviews

Mock interviews are essential in transitioning from knowledge to practical application. They help refine verbal presentation, adapt to unexpected questions, and improve interaction with panel members.

Why They Matter

• Simulate the actual exam environment, including time pressure and panel dynamics
• Improve your ability to structure responses logically and fluently
• Identify areas where knowledge is sound but communication is weak
• Teach you how to manage uncertainty or partial knowledge in a composed manner
• Help correct habits like over-explaining, speaking too fast, or using technical jargon without clarity

PrepMedico offers mentor-led mock sessions, often tailored by subspecialty, to ensure candidates rehearse with real-world accuracy. Feedback is immediate and actionable, with insights into both content delivery and verbal presentation.

Testimonials from PrepMedico-Trained Doctors

The effectiveness of PrepMedico’s preparation model is best reflected in the experiences of successful candidates.

“The PrepMedico team shared their experience as examiners and professors. It was really helpful and extremely useful. PrepMedico teaches us how to answer, how to react, and how to behave in front of the examiners. Thank you!”
— Dr Hadj Adda Derkaoui

“PrepMedico team,

It was a very satisfying and helpful course, with sessions covering knowledge, skills, and useful practical tricks to approach and pass the exam.

I’m honoured and excited to participate and share my great experience with other colleagues planning to go through the exam, and advise them to get enrolled in this great course. I would like to thank all the members, professors, and colleagues for their time and effort to guide us, and for their patience.”
— Dr. Mohamed Ali

“It gives me great pleasure to write a review for the first PrepMedico SCFHS preparation course. The course was organised by a professional team of teachers who are expert in preparing candidates for the prestigious FRCS exams, along with experts from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who had gone through the same exam, whether as candidates or examiners. This collaboration had resulted in a very useful mixture, combining the true experience of the SCFHS exam with the flavour of the FRCS.

The course structure was very professionally designed in terms of subjects.

 The sessions were well designed to give the participants the true guidance they need through the exam.

 The teachers were very meticulously simulating the examiners. They are always guiding us through scenarios, giving the tricks and side curves the examiner might take you through.

 Teachers were very knowledgeable and very willing to help.

Overall, the course was great. I strongly recommend the course to my colleagues who are planning to go through the SCFHS consultant’s exam.

 Thank you PrepMedico team for this course, and special thanks to my dear friend Dr. Fayçal Chaib Eddour, who did everything in his hands to make this happen.”
— Dr Mohammed Attia

These testimonials underscore the value of structured mentorship,  not just to gain content knowledge but to refine it into effective communication.

Key Takeaways

The SCFHS General Surgery Interview is not just a test of knowledge. It is a comprehensive assessment of clinical judgment, ethical clarity, and cultural adaptability within the context of Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system.

Success depends on preparation that mirrors the demands of the interview — speaking clearly under pressure, thinking safely and systematically, and aligning with local protocols. Structured practice, exposure to real scenarios, and feedback from experienced peers or mentors can help candidates move beyond theoretical knowledge to confident communication.

For those pursuing consultant roles in Saudi Arabia, a clear plan and the right support can make the path more focused and manageable.

To explore more about the process, including official classification and registration steps, visit the SCFHS Registration & Licensing Portal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)