US grads practicing in HK or elsewhere

[dara678]

Hi all,

I don't know if anybody knows, but I was wondering about how hard it is for a student who graduated from a US med school to practice out of the country. The reason I ask is my significant other is a foreign student, and his family lives in Hong Kong. Does anyone know how difficult it is for someone who has graduated and completed residency in the US to get a job in Hong Kong or another foreign country? Thanks!

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[Dr.GA2B]

I have lived and traveled in several countries growing up, and while abroad I saw US/European docs about half the time. For example, in Taiwan and HK, the Seventh Day Adventists have hospitals set up with US standards meeting the needs of expats and the wealthier locals. In China, India, and even Nepal, there are well established Western clinics that cater almost exclusively to expats and travelers, many of which actually accepted your mainstream Cigna or Bluecross ins. And then there is your missionary/humanitarian organizations that export American docs to disaster areas. I don't know if this helps.

 

[lau_rex]

I'm a family physician in HK; I'm afraid the chace of foreign graduate getting a job here is minimal as the public sector(the hospital authority which monopolizes all specialist medical service in HK) has gone bankrupt and many new graduates and experienced doctors(who are on the specialist registrar here) cannot get a job there; for the private sector business has nosedived after the handover. The profession is at its lowest point for the last 2 decades. Hope this may help.
BTW I am thinking of going to US for specialist training in Obs/gy; do you know how HK graduates are doing in the US?

 

[Stephen Ewen]

bump

 

[benjee]

To lau rex:
That's really bad in HK. I am curious about the reason U want to be trained ob/gyn in US,what I mean is are there any training program in HK for ob/gyn?
Also, I replied to ur post under patriciaNg forum,u can find some info there.Please response ASAP.By the way, how's the FP practice in HK,I mean income wise and the type of setting?

 

[lau_rex]

The problem is when you left the system which monopolizes specialist training (the hospital authority) here, which I have done a few years ago, it is extremely difficult to get back: the public sector is broke and wont even employ new graduates for training; and above all, i am sick of seeing sniffles and at 31 I may still have a chance of change......
FM is very underdeveloped here. Many so called fm physician have neither proper training nor proper postgraduate qualifications; majority belongs to private sector and you are the only person to make ends meet. Many of my classmates who open their own clinics in recent years have income less than 2500 USD a month(working 66hrs/wk). And Dont expect much respect from patients. Hope this may help.

 

[benjee]

Hey Rex lau:
It sounds pretty depressing!Do U really mean some of those who practice in private sector did not complete FM postgraduate training (residency)?If that's the case, I am surprised b/c this is neither fair for the patients not the clinicians.I wonder if there are many lawsuits in this field in HK.Anyway, if U want to practice either FM or oby/gyn in US, U need to go through the process eg. take usmle step 1,2,3,csa, get into training program--residency ie FM or oby/gyn,take and pass the board after completion.When U ar board certified,U then be able to practice.This is a long process,may take at least a few yrs.I understand most countries in the world do not require 4 yrs of college prior to medical education except US.Well, the system has its adv and disadv.I guess I may try when the time comes.Thanx for ur info .Happy Chinese new yr.

 

[benjee]

Hey Rex-lau:
I forgot to ask U regarding FM practicing in HK.Do FM docs in HK perform vag. deliveries,colposcopy,colonoscopy,minor surgery.ie appendectomy..etc?Lemme know when U response.

 

[blueberry]

Hi, I want to know specifically what licensing exams would be needed for a foreign graduate to get licensed in HK? I understand economicaly the situation right now is really bad (both in the hospital sector and elsewhere, in terms of getting job, and the system), but I'm mostly interested in what one actually needs to do in order to get licensed if they already have a MD in the US, or any other fellowships needed to subspecialize. Thanks.

 

[PARKSON]

Check out the Medical Council of Hong Kong. It has all the liscening and registration info........... for fellows and subspecialists as well.

http://www.mchk.org.hk/

 

[blueberry]

Thanks for the reply Parkson. But after going through the whole website, all I got was "you need to pass a licensing exam" plus a list of terms (english --> Chinese) of what procedures a specialist can perform...with no explanation of the CONTENT of the licensing exam (e.g. written? oral? practical? what concepts/fields are tested)??? Does anyone know the answer? Sorry for being so persistent.

Check out the Medical Council of Hong Kong. It has all the liscening and registration info........... for fellows and subspecialists as well.

http://www.mchk.org.hk/

 

[PARKSON]

Agreed. Like all the HK gov websites, it is loaded with BS and cliche. But those are the ppl who can give you the details. I would give them a call, they know better than any of us here.

Thanks for the reply Parkson. But after going through the whole website, all I got was "you need to pass a licensing exam" plus a list of terms (english --> Chinese) of what procedures a specialist can perform...with no explanation of the CONTENT of the licensing exam (e.g. written? oral? practical? what concepts/fields are tested)??? Does anyone know the answer? Sorry for being so persistent.

 

[blueberry]

Will try to call. (was dreading it b/c I don't want to pay the long distance phone bills, and you know how they put you on hold and take forever to pick up=waste of minutes). Thanks anyway!

 

[chibi]

I'm wondering if you guys know how is the current job market for ophthalomology in HK? Is it also oversaturated, like the other specialties? Is it possible to practice Ophtho in HK after residency training in the US?

 

[livadmkh]

Hello! I am so eager to go back to HK and practice after 11 years of staying in Australia. I graduated from medicine in University of NSW in AUstralia and I'm working as a resident in one of the public hospital. I wonder if you had done or know anyone who did the Licensing exam of Medical council in HK. I need help for some tips and advice on the exam.

 

[taozi]

Will try to call. (was dreading it b/c I don't want to pay the long distance phone bills, and you know how they put you on hold and take forever to pick up=waste of minutes). Thanks anyway!

Hi blueberry, just wondering if you have called the MCHK? I am interested in practicing in HK as well, and I am wondering if it's possible to sit for their licensing exam having only a MD degree and passing USMLE steps (ie. if they recognize the USMLE exams as a qualification of education, etc.)

 

[blueberry]

Hi blueberry, just wondering if you have called the MCHK? I am interested in practicing in HK as well, and I am wondering if it's possible to sit for their licensing exam having only a MD degree and passing USMLE steps (ie. if they recognize the USMLE exams as a qualification of education, etc.)

Hi taozi, no I haven't b/c I'm just a first year and still have a looong way off. I figured the rules might change by the time I'm out and practicing, so I've been putting off calling them. I'll let you know when I get around to it. None of my friends in HK are studying medicine so it's difficult for me to find the answer by other revenues.

Let me know if you find out the answer too! Thanks!

 

[jenny8562180]

Hello! I am so eager to go back to HK and practice after 11 years of staying in Australia. I graduated from medicine in University of NSW in AUstralia and I'm working as a resident in one of the public hospital. I wonder if you had done or know anyone who did the Licensing exam of Medical council in HK. I need help for some tips and advice on the exam.

Hi

I am also desperate to know about the past questions. Please help.

Jenny