Medical education in Hong Kong
Encyclopedia
Medical education
in Hong Kong
is concerned with both the basic training of medical practitioners and further post-graduate training.
matriculation. Entry to the two medical faculties of Hong Kong
(The University of Hong Kong
and the The Chinese University 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 Admissions 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 160 in each university. 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.
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.
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 education
Medical education is education related to the practice of being a medical practitioner, either the initial training to become a doctor or additional training thereafter ....
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
is concerned with both the basic training of medical practitioners and further post-graduate training.
Medical school
Undergraduate-entry program typically last five years, and permit entry from secondary schoolSecondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
matriculation. Entry to the two medical faculties of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
(The University of Hong Kong
The University of Hong Kong
The University of Hong Kong is the oldest tertiary institution in Hong Kong. Its motto is "Sapientia et Virtus" in Latin, meaning "wisdom and virtue", and "" in Chinese...
and the The Chinese University 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 Admissions System
Joint University Programmes Admissions System
The Joint University Programmes Admissions System or JUPAS in Hong Kong is a unified system for applying to the nine member institutions for full-time undergraduate programmes. In 2008 admissions, 35,298 students applied for programmes of the nine institutions under this scheme...
) 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 160 in each university. Mature students or students who already possess a undergraduate degree
Undergraduate degree
An undergraduate degree is a colloquial term for an academic degree taken by a person who has completed undergraduate courses. It is usually offered at an institution of higher education, such as a university...
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
Pre-registration house officer
Pre-registration house officer , often known as a houseman or house officer, was until 2005 the only job open to medical graduates in the United Kingdom who had just passed their final examinations at medical school and had received their medical degrees.Newly-qualified doctors are only allowed...
(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
Pre-registration house officer
Pre-registration house officer , often known as a houseman or house officer, was until 2005 the only job open to medical graduates in the United Kingdom who had just passed their final examinations at medical school and had received their medical degrees.Newly-qualified doctors are only allowed...
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
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
The Royal Australian College Of General Practitioners is the professional body for General Practitioners in Australia.The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners is responsible for maintaining standards for quality clinical practice, education and training, and research in Australian...
, who are general practitioners, not specialists.