UAE Adopts Unified Clinical Training Guidelines for Health Students

Clinical Training Guidelines have been adopted in the UAE to standardise how health profession students receive practical training, following coordination between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and the National Institute for Health Specialties. The framework defines requirements for partnerships between higher education institutions and clinical training facilities, with the aim of ensuring consistent, high-quality training that aligns education outcomes with labour market needs.
The guidelines establish unified national standards for clinical placements across undergraduate health programmes that require practical training under the National Qualifications Framework. Postgraduate internships, residencies and fellowships are excluded. The framework is intended to better integrate academic learning with hands-on experience, while supporting the preparation of qualified national professionals for the healthcare sector.
Key elements include structured, competency-based training pathways that progress from observation to supervised practice, alongside clearly defined governance roles for universities, healthcare facilities, supervisors and relevant authorities. The guidelines also require formal partnership agreements covering supervision responsibilities, assessment methods, legal considerations and insurance arrangements, supported by systematic documentation to track student progress and address challenges during training.