HAMAD MEDICAL CORPORATION
Department of Medical Education
Graduate Medical Education Office (GMEO)
HMC Residency
Residents Eligibility, Selection
and
Matching Process
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (F.A.Qs)
Updated
August 2011
99
(A)
HMC Residency
Eligibility, Selection,
Matching Process and Admissions
1. Who can apply for HMC Residency Programs?
a. HMC interns.
b. Graduates of medical schools registered in the international medical education
directory (IMED) http://www.Faimer.org, who completed Rotating or Straight
internship less than 3 years ago from the date of completing their internship.
c. Candidates should be eligible for licensing in their own country of origin and eligible
for licensing in the state of Qatar
d. Applicants should meet all the eligibility criteria and requirements.
2. What is a straight Internship?
We consider first year of any post graduate training as the (straight) internship year
we do not consider last year in Medical School as internship year.
3. Could my application be considered if I have graduated more than 3 years
ago?
You may apply and we will review your application. We could consider your application if
your CV shows that you have special skills and excellent performance or relevant
experience or research in the specialty you are applying for.
Priority is still for the most recent graduates.
4. What if I was out of active clinical practice for 1 year or more for family
reasons for example?
We don’t accept those applicants unless they provide evidence of remedial training, after
interruption of education process but
HMC is not providing that sort of training for such applicants.
5. What are the eligibility criteria and requirements for HMC Residency
programs?
a. Evidence of passing, minimum USMLE step2 CK, and preferably USMLE step 1 or
acceptable alternative exam .
b. Evidence of English language competency TOEFL (professional level) or IELTS (academic
level).
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6. What are the alternative Exams ?
International Foundation of Medicine (iFoM) exam is currently the only acceptable
alternative to USMLE.
International Foundation of Medicine (iFoM) Exam is provided by the
National Board of medical Examiners (NBME) and are conducted in
Qatar and Beirut
for more details about IFOM Exams please visit
http://www.nbme.org/students/ifom/index.html
For admission to our residency programs the iFoM scores should be
equivalent to the passing score of the USMLE (minimum score equivalent to 75
on USMLE 2 digits score.
7. Can I apply early and forward my Exam Results Later on?
You should forward your complete application and exams results together before the
closing date (as advertised).
Incomplete applications will not be considered
or reviewed after that closing date .
8. About the registration for the USMLE Exams? (Find Details on USMLE web
page.
* USMLE Exam Step 1 assesses whether medical school students or graduates
understand and can apply important concepts of the basic sciences to the practice of
medicine.
* USMLE Exam Step 2 assesses whether medical school students or graduates can apply
medical knowledge, skills and understanding of clinical science essential for provision of
patient care under supervision.
•
Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) MCQS.
•
Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills) (OSCE stations) done in USA only.
10. How to register for the USMLE exams?
Registration process for the first time usually takes long time sometimes so start the
registration as early as possible .
Step 1 or Step
2(CK or CS)
Students and graduates of medical schools
outside the United States and Canada
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ECFMG
3624 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 191042685
Application materials:
Website:
http://www.ecfmg.org
Telephone: (215) 3865900
Fax: (215) 386-9196
Email: info@ecfmg.org
For application Details check the web page of ECFMG
http://www.ecfmg.org/creds/index.html
Step 1, Step 2 CK, are offered regularly throughout the year in many centers all over the
world.
USMLE Exam Centers CURRENTLY in THE MIDDLE EAST
Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, and United Arab Emirates.
9. What about the TOEFL or IELTS Scores?
TOEFL Paper based scores (200-660), minimum score required 550 or above.
TOEFL IBT (0-120) minimum score required is 80 or above
IELTS minimum score required is 6.5 or above.
10. How to get the Residency application forms?
Download it from HMC website. www.hmc.org.qa/cme/
Interns & Resident Forms.
• Please complete the application form in BLACK INK, CAPITAL LETTERS
(PRINT) OR TYPE.
• Completed application forms should be submitted to Medical Education in person
or by mail.
• Emails or Faxes are not accepted.
• 3 sets of documents (Copies) should be accompanying the completed Application
Form.
• ORGINALS ARE NOT REQUIRED
• Make sure that all documents (copies) provided are true copies of the
authenticated originals.
• We perform primary source verification ( credentialing ) for all
resident-physicians documents through (Data Flow company)
• Providing any false documents will be discovered and this may subject
the candidate to dangerous consequences.
11.What if I am an HMC intern and did not pass the USMLE or iFoM Exams?
You should try again & apply next year.
12. What if I applied but I was not matched this year?
You should try again & apply next year.
13. What about any other Exams (Canadian, Australian, PLAB ,MRCS,MRCP,
Master Degrees ) could they exempt me from USMLE?
Only iFoM (International Foundation of Medicine Exam) will be considered as
alternative to USMLE exams.
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14. What about the iFoM Exam in Qatar ?
iFoM ( CSE) exam is provided by NBME and delivered by Weill Cornell Medical College –
Qatar once a year. Seats are limited.
Priority is for the candidates who are residents in Qatar.
Final year medical students who are residents in Qatar can apply and sit the exam.
15. What about the visit visas and residency permit process?
•
•
•
HMC is not responsible about visit visas, travelling or living expenses for the exams,
interviews, matching or the time spent waiting for employment until you sign the
contract.
We will try to help in getting visit visas for the eligible candidates who are finally
selected for the interviews.
Once you get selected through the competetive match, and further approved for
recruitment, HMC will issue you a working visa and residency permit.
16. How long does the recruitment process take after the match?
• Few weeks to few months
17. How can I check on the status of my application/ recruitment process?
• If you get short listed you will be informed by E mail and will be invited for the
matching interviews
• Once you get selected after the interviews you will be informed and HR will be your
reference for follow up.
• HR will contact you once your recruitment process is complete.
18. What are the Residency Programs sponsored by HMC & their duration
according to the Arab Board of medical specialization.
HMC Residency Programs :
Posts
(Changes every year
will be constant starting 2012)
1. Medicine (4 years)
2. General surgery (5 years)
3. Pediatrics (4 years)
4. Ob/Gyn (5 years)
5. Emergency medicine (4 years)
6. Family medicine (4 year)
7. Community medicine (4 year)
8. Diagnostic radiology (4 years)
9. Anesthesia (4 years)
10. Ophthalmology (4 years)
11. ENT (4 years)
12. Urology (5 years)
13. Orthopedics (5 years)
14. Pediatric surgery (6 years)
15. Neurosurgery (6 years)
16. Maxillofacial Surgery (5 years)
17. Plastic surgery 6 years ( not yet accredited by ABMS)
19. Are there any fellowship programs at HMC?
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(20-30)
(5-10)
(10-15)
(10-15)
(7-10)
(10-15)
(3-4)
(6-10)
(6-10)
(3-4)
(3-4)
(3-4)
(5-8)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3-5)
Yes in Pediatrics subspecialties, Medicine subspecialties, Urology subspecialties,
Geriatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Trauma (ICU) and Neuroanesthesia.
All fellowships are currently only open for HMC graduates after completing the residency
programs.
20. How many Posts are available at HMC Residency Programs?
• The available posts for each program will be announced before the matching each
year.
• All residency programs will start in July 01 every year.
21. Please Note:
• Rehabilitation medicine & Geriatrics programs are not accredited by the Arab Board
yet and the residents who like to join Rehabilitation medicine or Geriatrics have to
complete 4 years residency in medicine before they join those programs as clinical
fellows, so they should first apply for Internal Medicine.
• Cardiology program is 7 years (4 years Medicine+3 years Cardiology), the residents
interested in cardiology have to complete first the 4 years of Internal medicine then
they may apply to join cardiology for another 3 years.
• Plastic Surgery program and Cardio-thoracic surgery programs are not yet
accredited by ABMS.
22. What is the ACGME-I accreditation? And ACGME-I requirements?
For details on ACGME-I (accreditation council of graduate medical education
international) please visit their site www.acgme-i.org
HMC is in the process of applying for institutional accreditation by July 2012
and foundational and specific program accreditation by July 2013
23. What is the Matching Process?
First match for all programs.
1. CVs and applications will be reviewed and eligible candidates will be short
listed.
2. All short listed applicants will be notified about the dates of interviews by
Email.
3. Medical Education will provide residency program directors with ranked
candidates’ names and applications.
4. The matching application form, the CV and personal statement, Internship
assessment records ( for HMC interns ) and any other documents provided
by the candidate will be forwarded to the program directors.
5. Dates and time of the final interviews will be coordinated with the residency
training programs and will be posted on Medical Education Bulletin Board.
6. Some programs may short list the applicants to be interviewed again.
7. The interviews will be conducted by a group of examiners including the
program directors, Chairs/Heads, Chief resident and group of consultants or
specialists.
8. Scores of the interviews will be averaged and all interviewed candidates will
be ranked again.
9. Each program will provide medical education with the final list of matched
candidates & a waiting list.
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10. After approved by the Director of Medical Education, the results of the first
match will be announced.
11. After the entire first match is over the unfilled posts will be announced and
the unmatched candidates may rank any number of programs in the second
(Residual) match.
12. Candidates cannot apply for the first chosen program again. Yet,
each candidate can rank any number of programs of his/her choice for the
second match (Residual Match).
13. After all the posts are filled, some candidates might be placed on the
waiting list.
14. In case someone drops out or a post becomes vacant later on, then those
on the waiting list who were unmatched may be called to fill in those
posts.
24. What is the letter of intention (personal statement?)
You should write a letter for each specialty you apply for describing your
achievements and why you did choose that specialty and why you believe you are a
good candidate to be selected for that program (no more than one page) and attach
that letter with your updated CV.
25. What do interviewers focus on?
•
Interviewers look mainly for your communication skills, reasoning, professional
English language competency, understanding of the responsibilities and scope
of your specialty of choice, and ethics & professionalism.
• You should have a strong reason for selecting any residency program as your
first choice.
• State that clearly in your letter of intention for each program you choose and be
ready to answer why?
• Matching results will be announced immediately after the interview day so those
candidates who were not matched in the first interview may apply and wait for
the second (residual match).
• The selection decision is entirely an official decision and is not subject for
appeal or explanation to the candidate.
• Some programs demand competence in spoken Arabic language like Family
Medicine and Psychiatry.
• Include a well written standard CV with a scanned photo along with your
application.
• Include with your application copies of all courses, workshops, awards,
recommendations, conferences, etc
• Bring copy of your portfolio (all original documents) to the interviews.
26. What if I was not matched to the program of my choice (First Match)?
•
•
•
You have to wait until all programs (first match) process is completed.
The residual posts will be announced (if any).
Second match application should be completed by the unmatched candidates
and they could be interviewed again (you may rank any number of available
unmatched programs).
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•
•
Carefully choose your first choice and be prepared to justify your choices for
the interviews.
First choice & first interview is your best chance.
27. What if I was not matched after the second (residual) match?
•
•
•
Usually the number of interviewed candidates exceeds the number of
available posts, it is a competitive process.
Some candidates may not match to any program.
You could apply again next year if you are still eligible.
28. What if I like to transfer to another program after I was matched?
• Based on our GME policies it is not possible.
• No Guarantees.
• Unless there is a vacant post, pending the approvals of both program
directors and the Director of Medical Education.
29. What about The professional English Language competency TOFEL or
IELTS?
• You are supposed to provide evidence of passing one of those tests and a
copy of your scores should be included in your application.
• Competency in English language is one important factor that will improve
your chances to be selected.
• Try (TOFEL or IELTS) early to define your level of competency and decide if
you need language enhancement courses.
• USMLE, step2 CS component of spoken English doesn’t replace TOEFL or
IELTS.
30.What about the process of employment if I got matched?
1. The process may take few weeks to few months (all depends)
Process includes:
• Labor department approval
• Ministry of interior CID approval
• Job offer from Human Resources
• Candidate accept the offer
• Immigration process for working visa
• Medical Checkup on arrival
• Then you sign a contract with HMC and medical education.
Medical Education role ends after selecting the residents and after the approval by HMC
Managing director.
Then all records and files of selected candidates will be forwarded to the department of
Human Resources for the recruitment process.
Communication and all enquiries from the candidates about the recruitment process
should be directed to the department of Human resources.
31 .What about residents salaries and benefits ?
You will get paid a monthly salary starting the day you join your program with HMC, with
annual increments based on your performance evaluation.
Details of the salaries and benefits will be included in the
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Resident’s Terms and Conditions of Employment attached to your contract
All residency programs will start in
July 01 each year.
You should be available at least 2 weeks before the start of
the program to complete your formalities, orientation and
medicals.
*******************
HMC is very concerned and committed to equal
opportunities ,reliability, validity ,fairness and
transparency of the matching process & and Medical
Education will observe all interviews and document all
results
Good Luck
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