For overseas doctors, looking for higher training posts, the chance of being employed in the developed countries is becoming bleaker. This article considers the need for an increase in the number of local postgraduate training programmes in the Arab world in keeping with other developing countries. The model used for this study was an internal audit, of the postgraduate programme in ENT offered by King Faisal University in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. A dropout rate of more than 30 per cent among those who joined the programme reflected either the tougher standard of the course, or an inappropriate selection process. A major reason was the frustrating inability of the trainees to cope with the basic sciences course. This point was also addressed in the audit with a view to rationalizing the course to meet specific objectives.
