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part exam of the Australian Medical Council (AMC). Unlike Hong Kong, English proficiency does
not necessitate examination but could instead be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including
satisfactory International English Language Testing System (IELTS) results. Examination pass
rates are also more encouraging (58.5% across four sittings of the part 1 MCQ exam in 2016-17;
also in 2016-17, 597 individuals successfully qualified for the AMC certificate that together with
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12 months of supervised practice, make them eligible for general registration ), possibly at least
partly attributable to the comparatively more detailed and accessible examination resources and
reference material. Importantly, internship experience is not a listed exam prerequisite
contrasting to Hong Kong where examination eligibility requires the applicant to have “5 years
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fulltime medical training” that “includes a period of fulltime internship resident in a hospital” - a
potential barrier for individuals who graduate from medical courses that do not offer relevant
experience. To enhance the motivation of more foreign-trained doctors to practice in Hong Kong,
examination prerequisites, ways to demonstrate language proficiency and availability of
comprehensive resources for examination preparation should be reviewed. Also worthy of
consideration is the relaxation of examination and post-examination internship requirements for
doctors who are already well-qualified with ample clinical experience seeking full registration in
Hong Kong.

It is in the best interest of our crippling public health system and for the wellbeing of our
healthcare workforce and our citizens that we must tackle the limited attractiveness of working as
a doctor in local public hospitals. To that end, as we continue our efforts in enhancing our health
system, there is an imminent need to review the procedures currently in place to encourage the
uptake of more well-qualified foreign-trained doctors to join our healthcare workforce,
particularly to serve in our public hospitals. This is not the only solution nor do we claim it to be
the best, but it is an important one so that we can move our health system forward from one that
is plagued by chronically overloaded inpatient wards manned by chronically overworked doctors
in public hospitals.

Thank you again for your time and we look forward to further discuss.

Sincerely,

Dr. Pamela Tin Mr. Alvin Cheung Ms. Tiffany Hon
Researcher Senior Researcher Researcher
Our Hong Kong Foundation Our Hong Kong Foundation Our Hong Kong Foundation

11 Australian Medical Council Limited Annual Report 2017.
12 Guidelines 1- Eligibility to Take Licensing Examination, The Licentiate Committee of The Medial Council of Hong Kong.

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