Page 6 - OHKF manpower executive summary B5 leaflet-7.4.2019'EN NEW7
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limited
b. “Non-exam pathway”: individuals applying through the ‘non-exam pathway’ to obtain limited registration in Hong Kong (that makes up just close to 1%
1
of our registered medical practitioner workforce ) are not required to sit the MCHK Licensing Examination.
(i) While individuals applying for limited registration are not required to sit the MCHK Licensing Examination, they also do not eventually progress to
do not
full registration. This contrasts with a clear progression track leading to full registration for ‘non-exam pathway’ observed in other jurisdictions such
as Singapore - a place where a substantial number of foreign-trained doctors obtain full registration to practice via a ‘non-exam pathway’. Doctors
permitted to practice through the ‘non-exam pathway’ make up approximately 40% of registered medical practitioners holding valid practicing
certificates. Generally, more experienced individuals could directly apply for conditional registration in Singapore using an acceptable primary
qualification (listed in the ‘Second Schedule’ of close to 160 institutions in 28 jurisdictions), postgraduate qualification (close to 100 medical
qualifications recognised by the Singapore Medical Council) or specialist qualification (accredited specialist by the Specialists Accreditation Board
Singapore). Conditionally registered individuals undergo supervised practice in public or private settings for a minimal of 2 years before being
considered for full registration without sitting a local licensing examination. Also providing ‘non-exam pathways’ to full registration include Australia
full
(e.g. through the Competent Authority Pathway) and the UK (e.g. through demonstration of a recognised postgraduate qualification, sponsorship
by recognised local body or eligibility for the specialist or general practitioner registers). Consideration needs to be given to allow progression from
limited to full registration in Hong Kong on condition that the doctor has practiced in the public sector, particularly in public hospitals, for a set
number of years. This also eventually allows individuals opting for the ‘non-exam’ option to practice at venues other than those stated under the 6
approved promulgations for limited registration, potentially increasing the attractiveness of practicing in Hong Kong. The Hospital Authority should
also consider hiring general practioners through limited registration.
(ii) Building on current criteria, acceptable medical qualifications for obtaining limited registration should be clearly listed. The list could, for
example, comprise of the world’s top 50 medical schools (many of which are higher ranking than our local medical schools) from which qualifications
should be obtained. Individuals with a medical qualification from listed institutions could eventually progress from limited to full registration through
the ‘non-exam pathway’. Permanent residents of the HKSAR with the right of abode who have received medical education from listed institutions
should be prioritised.
(iii) Singapore allows less experienced medical graduates with an approved primary qualification from the ‘Second Schedule’ (list of close to 160
institutions in 28 jurisdictions that include qualifications from The University of Hong Kong and The Chinese University of Hong Kong) to apply for
provisional registration for employment as a ‘Postgraduate Year 1 trainee ’. These individuals are required to complete a 12-month internship at an
approved hospital in Singapore before becoming eligible for conditional and eventually full registration. No similar pathway or progression track is
currently available in Hong Kong. Introduction of a similar progression track in Hong Kong should be considered.
1 Note: some individuals in our medical professional workforce have medical qualifications of recognised Commonwealth countries and were recognised for registration by MCHK before September
1996. From that time, foreign-trained doctors (apart from those registered under the transitional provision detailed in section 35 of the Medical Registration Ordinance) must pass the
MCHK-administered Licensing Examination and complete an internship assessment before they become eligible for full registration to practice in Hong Kong.