[yvinne]

I understand that u need to complete 5 years in medical school before you can apply for the licensing exam. Btw, do u need to have the 12 months internship too on top of that? Does that mean we can't work in HK after we graduate then?

[Louiseamanda]

Hi Yvinne

Regarding applying to do your housejob in Hong Kong - the information I heard was that there are not enough jobs for the local graduates, let alone giving one to an overseas medical graduate.
That said, I know of one doctor (already qualified as a GP who arrived in Hong Kong) and did the exam and a repeat housejob.

Not sure how you would stand, trying to apply with provisional registration.

To practice in HOng KOng as a doctor (housejob or more senior posts) you need to be registered.

As an overseas graduate you can only get registered by
1 passing the licensing exam or
2 getting provisional registration thru the university for research/teaching posts (these are doctors who have already worked in their own country usually for a few years and have some experience)

You might want to check for up-to-date information on this and also check the requirements for the licensing exam.

Also, you may need to have done more than just a one year housejob to even sit the exam, I cant recall as it didnt apply to me.

Hope this helps
LA

[percyp]

I think it is about time that someone dispelled some of the myths that frequently circulate on this and other forums about the exam. Generally from what people have 'heard on the grapevine'. I remember very well sitting down a year ago thinking of trying for the exam reading this forum and being at the best downhearted and at the worst devestated. With statements like "a french consultant got 70% and still failed' and other such similar comments I'm sure many people quit before they have even started. I took and passed the HK Licensing Exam this year at the first attempt. I'm not saying that to boast but just to show all those prospective candidates out there that it is possible and I wasn't the only one. Around 10 people sat the exam and passed first time this year (my estimate from those i know). One of the most quoted examples on this forum is the extremely low pass rate (around 10 to 12 people from around 130 to 150 people who take the exam) while this is true it is mainly due to the fact that many many of those that have to take it fail the exam in medical English. The pass rate from the written exam must be much better as around 35 to 40 candidates make it through to the practical exam of these around a third pass all 4 specialities which makes the practical exam more in line with other exams you might take.

Don't get me wrong it is difficult and clearly set at a level higher than graduate level (whatever the licensing exam commitee might tell you). However it is not impossible and the licensing commitee tells you clearly what you must get: over 50% in both written papers on average and not less than 40% in either paper. These are published and they aren't lying, so clearly the french consultant with 70% either got 30% on the other paper or is an urban myth. Lots of people ask what to study and I'm sure there are many ways of doing it. However my thinking is that pretty much the entire HK medical training system at one time was based on the UK system and they still are affiliated to all the UK professional colleges for MRCP/S/O+G etc. As the exam is set in general higher than graduate level and the examiners setting it were themselves examined using the UK system that would seem the most sensible resources to use. ie MRCP/MRCS part one questions and study books. I am however clearly biased as I am UK trained.

Other frequently asked questions seem to be about getting a house job after the exam. If you pass the exam you are allocated a house job by the licensing commitee exactly the same as all the HK graduates ie you rate the jobs and then you are rated and jobs allocated accordingly. At the end of the day everyone gets a job. As for after your house year it'll be up to you and as i haven't been through this yet I can't comment.

I am aware that I was lucky and that there are many people out there who have had to retake many times and not because they are bad drs. The exam is only once a year and if you have a bad day you have to wait a year to resit, all of which is pretty shit. As for working here well I've only just started so maybe i'll update you when I know more. Certainly cantonese would be a massive advantage but i don't speak it and i get by with friendly nurses and other drs. Everyone has been exceptionally kind whilst they clearly at the same time think I am mad for coming to work here.

Most of all I hope to inspire some confidence in those of you who are looking to sit the exam there is lots written here designed to put you off some true some not so. Good luck

[KnowItAll]

Percy : Congrats. Given that the number of expat doctors is declining... good to have a new one in our midst.

[Louiseamanda]

Yes congratulations on your exam pass Percyp.
I hope this encourages those who want encouragement ands have found this thread dispiriting.
The situation in Hong Kong at the moment is very prohibitive everyone I know would agree.
Regarding the pass rate stats, this can be seen on the HKMC website under Tables.

The French specialist did take the exam, scored well but was failed (maybe on the clinical?) I do not know any more details. Perhaps you can comment as to whether you need Cantonese for the clinical part. This doctor then worked as a non-medical counsellor or something and finally returned to her senior position in France. She is one of several doctors I have heard of, who work in non-medical positions (UK, Australian).

Perhaps another salient reason why most expat doctors coming to HK with their partners/spouses dont bother with the exam route, is because they don't want to repeat their housejob which they did 10 maybe 20 years ago.

The doctor that I saw who did do the licensing exam in 2000, followed it with a repeat house job which she could not (despite her 'success') recommend this route particularly.

I think someone else commented that if you are recently qualified and don't mind repeating your housejob year, before seeking a job for you, then its a good route.

For senior doctors with years of clinical experience then it does not appeal to repeat housejob.

Whether or not you can pass the exam is not the end of the story and virtually all the expat docs I know have not gone this route and some are working outside medicine. The ones who are working do not put a hand on a patient (research or teaching posts)

LA

[Louiseamanda]

Ps the Hong Kong medical system and postgraduate exams are still linked with the UK system which makes it all the more unreasonable that ,my housejob and years of experience at e.g Hammersmith hospital Charing Cross etc etc are not recognised!

My thinking is that the medical council needs updating they have a bad reputation in Hong Kong.

[dksclrhkdml]

hi i just graduated DDM, and have not yet had license. is it possibe to sit hongkong license exam without own registred license?

please help me guys

[Capsule]

OPTIONS FOR FOREIGN MEDICAL GRADUATES IN HONG KONG ?

I guess there must be many doctors wanting to work here or who come here with their spouses. But I did not find any thread addressing their problems or struggles for working here.

I am a doctor and have moved to Hong Kong sometime back.
I know clearing the HKMLE is the simplest answer for any foreign medical graduate but definitely not the most practical or easiest.

I mean qualifying HKMLE requires one year(if you happen to clear it in the first go) and then one year of internship makes it 2 precious years of life, and then you can't imagine of moving to a new place and taking that country's licensing exam all over again.

There might be some more flexible answers where doctors take up jobs where they can carry forward their experience and not keep on clearing the licensing exams everywhere.

Really interested in learning the options one has, and also, what all are the past foreign medical graduates doing in Hong Kong and have to share?

[Lai On]

To whom it may concern,

Freshly graduated as GP, I plan to move to HK with my fiancee ( who is a medical student and also a HKcitizen).
After reading this forum, we are afraid of failing this examination.
We really need to pass this examination, therefore we decided to take 6 months to study.
Are there any reference's books or guidelines to know?
I think the Belgian's system is different than the UK one, it seems belgian's system teaches more theory and less practice.
I plan to study in the Kaplan books (step2 , int med, surgery, paediatric, psy and GynObt).
Does anyone could provide to us some more practical informations (about his own experience about the examination?)

best regards,

[redbo]

Hi everyone

I am 5th year medical student from London, UK and I am serioulsy considering working in hong kong when I graduate in july 2010.

I am originally from Macau but the medical system is not as good there. Thus HK is a definite 2nd best choice for me after uk. I've read all the posts here but still a bit confused. Would be grateful if anyone can clear out my query.

1. Being a fresh graduate from the uk, do i take the HKLME exam straight after my graduation? (and not being a hk resident, am I actually eligible to doing so?)

2. If I passed this HKLME, do i start working straightaway as a MO for the next 2 years or so? (i.e. is it equivalent to working as a PRHO and SHO in the uk?) Coz i keep seeing people mentioning about this 2-year 'residency/internship' - I don't suppose these are 2 EXTRA years between passing the HKMLE and starting the actual housejobs?

3. So as long as I pass the HKMLE, my career path would be the same as those local graduates from hk?

4. How long does it take from a MO post to specialist training?

I'll be very much grateful if anyone who has similar sort of background as i have and is now actually working in hk, can share their experience with me! (add me on msn if you don't mind emilyieng22@hotmail.com) !

Thanks everyone!