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Hi everyone
I'm an intern (foundation doctor) in Hong Kong where I received my medical education. I am also a UK citizen (naturalized before the British left)
Basically I'm fed up with living in HK in general (air pollution, high property prices, >100 hour weeks, dont get me started...) and am exploring options of practicing elsewhere. I am interested in a career in surgery or oncology.
I understand that my medical degree (MBBS from HK University) no longer qualifies for registration with the GMC after the handover.
After some preliminary research on the internet my impression is that I have two options:
1. Take the PLAB exam now and apply for foundation doctor posts.
2. Stay in HK for my specialist training (which would lead to FRCS/ FRCR, in addition to the FCSHK/FHKCR) after which I would be exempt from PLAB and can obtain registration with the GMC.
With respect to the two options I have the following questions:
1. What are my chances of getting a surgery/oncology training post after I pass PLAB, as a international medical graduate and UK citizen? Are these considered competitive specialties? I did OK at HKU (graduated in the top half of my class, published a few papers) I have previously attended school in UK so language/ blending in should not be a problem.
2. If I choose to stay in HK for my specialist training, after obtaining the FRCS/FRCR would I be really exempt from PLAB and can register directly with the GMC? Would I be eligible for the specialist or just the general register only?
3. After specialist training in HK (7 years) if I do decide to relocate to the UK would I be eligible for consultant posts or do I have to start from Foundation or Registrar levels again? Is it realistic to obtain consultant posts in that manner?
4. What's surgical practice like in the UK? For example, are consultant general surgeons expected to be operating in all gen surg specialties, eg breast, thyroid, hbp, colorectal or are they usually subspecialized? What are the hours like for a consultant, registrar or house officer?
Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance
I'm an intern (foundation doctor) in Hong Kong where I received my medical education. I am also a UK citizen (naturalized before the British left)
Basically I'm fed up with living in HK in general (air pollution, high property prices, >100 hour weeks, dont get me started...) and am exploring options of practicing elsewhere. I am interested in a career in surgery or oncology.
I understand that my medical degree (MBBS from HK University) no longer qualifies for registration with the GMC after the handover.
After some preliminary research on the internet my impression is that I have two options:
1. Take the PLAB exam now and apply for foundation doctor posts.
2. Stay in HK for my specialist training (which would lead to FRCS/ FRCR, in addition to the FCSHK/FHKCR) after which I would be exempt from PLAB and can obtain registration with the GMC.
With respect to the two options I have the following questions:
1. What are my chances of getting a surgery/oncology training post after I pass PLAB, as a international medical graduate and UK citizen? Are these considered competitive specialties? I did OK at HKU (graduated in the top half of my class, published a few papers) I have previously attended school in UK so language/ blending in should not be a problem.
2. If I choose to stay in HK for my specialist training, after obtaining the FRCS/FRCR would I be really exempt from PLAB and can register directly with the GMC? Would I be eligible for the specialist or just the general register only?
3. After specialist training in HK (7 years) if I do decide to relocate to the UK would I be eligible for consultant posts or do I have to start from Foundation or Registrar levels again? Is it realistic to obtain consultant posts in that manner?
4. What's surgical practice like in the UK? For example, are consultant general surgeons expected to be operating in all gen surg specialties, eg breast, thyroid, hbp, colorectal or are they usually subspecialized? What are the hours like for a consultant, registrar or house officer?
Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance