The Population Health Management Fellowship: A Competency-Based Training Program Aligned with National Health Transformation Priorities

Abstract

Population Health Management (PHM) represents a strategic shift toward proactive, data-driven, and value-based approaches to improve health outcomes for defined populations (1,2). This article describes a one-year fellowship curriculum developed under the auspices of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS). The program targets board-certified physicians in Preventive Medicine or Family Medicine, emphasizing integration of clinical care, public health, analytics, and health system leadership. Structured around the CanMEDS 2023 framework (3), the curriculum addresses national priorities such as non-communicable disease (NCD) burden reduction, health equity, and alignment with Vision 2030 and related transformation initiatives (4,5). Key components include mandatory rotations, a longitudinal capstone project, diverse teaching methods, and rigorous formative and summative assessments. This fellowship offers a practice-oriented pathway distinct from academic degrees, equipping graduates to lead population-level interventions in healthcare settings.