Medical education in Hong Kong is concerned with
both the basic training of medical practitioners and further post-graduate
training.
Undergraduate-entry program typically last five years, and permit entry from
secondary school matriculation. Entry to the two medical faculties of Hong Kong
requires completion of the HKALE or its equivalent (e.g GCE "A" Levels).
Prospective medical students may apply through the JUPAS (Joint University
Programmes Admission System) exercise that takes place yearly. Increasingly,
form six students who have done exceptionally well in their HKCEE level
examination will be granted entry. The undergraduate intake is about 125 in each
university (HKU and CUHK). Mature students or students who already possess a
undergraduate degree may apply to each individual university, and they will join
the undergraduate class.
In early years, theoretical domains of study predominate, with increasing
clinical focus during the program. However, early clinical exposure — in which
students commence clinical skills from very early in the course, concurrently
with theoretical study — is a component of many degrees, most notably the
graduate medical programs. Hong Kong University there has been a move away from
the more traditional methods of teaching with a shift towards the Problem Based
Learning (PBL) pedagogy.
After graduation medical students enter paid employment, but they are still a
year away from obtaining full registration and obtaining their degrees During
this year trainees are legally only able to work in certain highly supervised
jobs (designated F1 jobs) and cannot legally practise independently.
Internship
Recently qualified medical practitioners must successfully undertake and
complete at least one year of supervised practice, generally known as an
internship. Internship is undertaken in hospital positions accredited for this
purpose.
A new medical graduate's first job will be as a Pre-registration house officer (PRHO),
during which they will complete the first year of Foundation Training (F1 Year).
Although by this time, they have graduated from the university, it is the
responsibility of the medical school they attended to supervise this year until
they are fully registered with the Hong Kong Medical Council. Therefore, the
Pre-registration house officer year forms the final year of medical school.
Residency
Upon successful conclusion of the intern year,
doctors qualify for a full registration in the Medical Board and are licensed to
engage in independent medical practice.
Specialist training
A trainee has to undergo six years of supervised
specialist training and pass in the final examinations held by Hong Kong Academy
of Medicine. Passing the final examination is a prerequisite to Fellowship of
the Academy.
At the same time as working in
hospitals, registrars also prepare for examinations for admission into
specialist medical colleges.
Those successful in completing
the requirements of their college program become a fellow of the academy and
"specialists" in the case of most areas of medicine (and typically work in
specialist private practice and/or as a "consultant" in a hospital); an
exception are fellows of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners,
who are general practitioners, not specialists.
Medical schools in Hong Kong
Faculty Of Medicine
University Of Hong Kong
7 Sassoon Road
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Faculty Of Medicine
The Chinese University Of Hong Kong
Shatin
New Territories
Hong Kong
