Study Books and Material for DHA Internal Medicine 2026
DHA Internal Medicine Study Material Quick Summary
DHA does not publish a booklist or past papers for Internal Medicine. The material that works is one major textbook (Harrison’s or Davidson’s) to fill gaps, a quick reference such as the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine, current international guidelines for management questions, and an Internal Medicine QBank done in timed blocks. Most physicians need 8 to 12 weeks alongside work.
The DHA (Dubai Health Authority) Prometric exam is required for internal medicine specialists and consultants who want to work in Dubai, unless they meet the exemption criteria. Before you plan your reading, check the syllabus and exam format. This page is about the next question: which books and material to use, and how to fit them into a study plan that works.
Your Sheryan self-assessment result tells you whether your title is assessed by a computer-based test (CBT) or an oral. The book advice below is for the CBT, which is where most internal medicine candidates end up.
Which books are best for the DHA Internal Medicine exam?
You do not need a shelf of books. You need one big book you trust, one small book you can carry, and the guidelines that drive the management questions.
| Book or source | Best use |
|---|---|
| Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine | The reference text. Look up topics your MCQs expose as weak; do not read it cover to cover. |
| Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine | Shorter and easier to read than Harrison’s. A good main text if you trained in the UK or South Asian system. |
| Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine | Fast revision of presentations, investigations and first-line treatment. Useful in the last 3 weeks. |
| Kumar and Clark's Clinical Medicine | An alternative to Davidson’s with clear clinical chapters. Pick one of the two, not both. |
| MKSAP (American College of Physicians) | Board-style questions with detailed critiques. Good for the reasoning style of single-best-answer items. |
| The Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics | Drug doses, ward management and emergencies in a compact format. |
These are the usual references internists use for licensing exams. DHA does not endorse any particular book.
Which guidelines should you read?
Management questions follow current international practice, so an old textbook edition can cost you marks. Read the summary or executive version of these:
How should one study for the exam?
A few habits matter more than the book you choose:
A 12-week DHA Internal Medicine study plan
If you are working full time, stretch the plan to 16 weeks rather than cutting the question practice. A common reason for failing is reading a lot and practising too little under time.
Can you register for the DHA exam from your home country?
Yes. Everything is online, and you do not need to be in the UAE to apply or to sit the exam. Run the Sheryan self-assessment tool, then pay the AED 200 Get Registered fee, then complete DataFlow verification, then book Prometric once you have your eligibility ID. The result appears in Sheryan as Pass or Fail, usually within 2 working days, and you have 3 attempts. Specialist and consultant tier rules are on DHA requirements for specialists and consultants.
Applying in Abu Dhabi or the Northern Emirates as well? The same reading list works for the DOH Internal Medicine QBank and the MOH UAE Internal Medicine QBank, and our DHA preparation sources page covers the other categories.
DHA Internal Medicine sample practice MCQs
Two questions in the clinical style of the exam. Tap a question to see the answer.
Question 1: Hypercalcaemia
A 64-year-old man who smokes 30 cigarettes a day is brought in with 5 days of confusion, thirst, polyuria and constipation. He looks dry. Corrected calcium is 3.6 mmol/L (14.4 mg/dL), phosphate is low-normal, PTH is suppressed, creatinine is 140 micromol/L (baseline 85) and chest X-ray shows a right hilar mass. What is the most appropriate initial management?
A) IV furosemide to promote calcium excretion
B) IV 0.9% saline rehydration, then IV zoledronic acid
C) Oral cinacalcet
D) Urgent parathyroidectomy
Correct answer: B) IV 0.9% saline rehydration, then IV zoledronic acid
Severe symptomatic hypercalcaemia with a suppressed PTH points to malignancy, here most likely PTHrP from a squamous cell lung cancer. The first step is volume repletion with isotonic saline, because hypercalcaemia causes a urinary concentrating defect and dehydration, which worsens renal calcium retention. An IV bisphosphonate is then given; it takes 2 to 4 days to act, so calcitonin can bridge if a faster fall is needed, and denosumab is an option when kidney function limits bisphosphonates. Loop diuretics are no longer routine and are used only for fluid overload after rehydration. Cinacalcet and parathyroidectomy treat PTH-driven disease.
Question 2: Thyroid storm
A 34-year-old woman with Graves’ disease stopped carbimazole 2 months ago. She presents with fever of 39.8 °C, agitation, vomiting, diarrhoea and atrial fibrillation at 160 beats per minute. Blood pressure is 128/70 mmHg. You have started IV fluids, propranolol and IV hydrocortisone. Which of the following is the correct next step in her drug treatment?
A) Give Lugol's iodine now, then start propylthiouracil 1 hour later
B) Start propylthiouracil, then give Lugol’s iodine at least 1 hour later
C) Give aspirin to control the fever
D) Arrange emergency total thyroidectomy before any antithyroid drug
Correct answer: B) Start propylthiouracil, then give Lugol’s iodine at least 1 hour later
In thyroid storm the thionamide comes first to block new hormone synthesis. Iodine is given at least an hour later to stop the release of stored hormone; given first, it can act as fresh substrate and increase hormone production. Propylthiouracil is often preferred in storm because it also reduces peripheral conversion of T4 to T3, although methimazole is an alternative. Fever is treated with paracetamol and cooling; aspirin is avoided because it displaces thyroid hormone from binding proteins and raises free hormone levels. Surgery is reserved for patients who cannot be controlled medically or cannot take thionamides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which book is best for the DHA Internal Medicine exam?
There is no official DHA booklist. Harrison’s or Davidson’s works well as the main text for looking things up, and the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine is good for quick revision. Add current guideline summaries and a specialty QBank for practice.
Does DHA publish past papers for Internal Medicine?
No. DHA does not release past papers or model papers. Practise with original MCQs written to the DHA format and syllabus, and use timed mock tests to get used to the pace.
How long should I prepare for the DHA Internal Medicine exam?
Most working physicians need 8 to 12 weeks, or about 16 weeks if they can study only in the evenings. Plan to finish with at least two full timed mock papers.
Is the DHA Internal Medicine exam a CBT or an oral?
Your Sheryan self-assessment shows which assessment applies to your title. Internal medicine candidates usually sit a Prometric CBT; some titles are assessed by an oral instead, explained on our DHA written or oral assessment page.
What is the passing score for the DHA Internal Medicine exam?
DHA does not publish a percentage. You see Pass or Fail in Sheryan, usually within 2 working days, and you have 3 attempts. More is on DHA exam result and passing score.
Your Comments
Readers have asked us these questions over time. Tap any question to open it and read our reply.
Dr Al Hamdan (Iraq): registering from Iraq, internal medicine books and jobs
"Wish to appear for DHA exam. how can i register from my country. any suggestion for study book and material for dha internal medicine. i will be visiting uae soon for this. how can i get good job offer."
Dr Al Hamdan
Medical Qualification: MBBS, FMCA
City, Country: iraq
oom prakash (Oman): how long does DataFlow take?
"i applied for dataFlow process but don't know that how much time this whole process takes. i have 3 years clinical experience in oman. pls help me write for this exam. will be grateful for any help."
oom prakash
Medical Qualification: MBBS
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Pass the DHA Internal Medicine exam
Specialty MCQs with explanations, subject-wise modules and timed mock exams in the Prometric format.
Enroll in DHA Internal Medicine QBank