Al-Zaidi Chair of Research in Rheumatic Diseases, one of the academic chairs of the UQU Deanship of Scientific Research, in cooperation with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, seeks to accomplish a scientific project to develop a strategic vision for the future of training in rheumatology, in line with the national visions. More than 30 experts and consultants in this field in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will participate in this project.

Since its inception, the chair has focused on the need to spread the culture of scientific research and the documented publications of a large group of medical students, residents, and rheumatology fellows. In addition, training workshops and educational programs have been held for academics and specialists to improve the level of needed care and the quality of performance in the diagnosis and treatment of joint diseases and rheumatism.

The Chair Professor, Prof. Hani Al-Muallem, mentioned the efforts of the chair and its participation with specialized experts at the regional level of the Gulf countries, the Mediterranean basin, and the African countries in formulating a future strategic vision aimed at involving the nursing sector and preparing its personnel. The goal of this is to provide distinguished care for patients with rheumatic diseases, who are concentrated in the outpatient clinics. These clinics are the main facility that provide care for approximately 90% of these patients. This is an important strategic step that reduces patient care costs and increases its effectiveness.

The chair has created a database for rheumatoid arthritis patients, which included preliminary statistical results for more than 650 patients at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah. It also invited all the consultants of rheumatology in the Saudi Kingdom to participate in the database and frame treatment plans, as it is one of the documented scientific ways to develop services provided to patients. The chair also signed a contract with an international company to publish a book specialized in rheumatology, which was jointly produced by a group of Saudi professors and scholars.