· web viewthese exams are intended to determine an examinee’s relative areas of...

HAMAD MEDICAL CORPORATION

Department of Medical Education

Graduate Medical Education Office (GMEO)

HMC Residency Eligibility, Selection & Matching Process

2016 IntakeAcademic Year 2016 - 2017

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Updated in

September 2015

GME/RES/2016/DC/1/ Check List

HMC Residency Eligibility, Selection, Matching Process and Admissions

Academic Year 2016-2017

1. How can I complete my Application?

Please read the Guidelines for completing the HMC Residency Matching Program Application in Annex (A) Page 9

2. Who can apply for HMC Residency Training Programs?

a. All Qatari interns b. International Medical graduates of medical schools listed on register of the

Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research – International Medical Education Directory (FAIMER-IMED) http://www.faimer.org, who graduated in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 or 2015 and are eligible for licensing in their home country or the country of graduation.

c. Applicants MUST have a valid Medical License or are eligible for licensing in their home country or the country where they currently practice.3. What is the Internship Training Program?

Internship Training Program is twelve months of clinical rotations in major medical specialties (e.g. Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology) after graduation from Medical School. The trainees should receive a Certificate of Completion of Internship at the end of the Internship Program.Medical Graduates who have done a one-year of postgraduate hospital-based training in one or more major medical specialties may be considered equivalent to internship training.The HMC Department of Medical Education does NOT consider the last year of Medical School, Externship Rotations, Observership Rotations, and Clinical Attachment Rotations as Internship Training.4. How about applicants who have been out of active clinical practice?

HMC will NOT accept applicants who are out of clinical practice for more than one (1) year.5. What are the Mandatory exams required for HMC Residency Matching Programs?

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HMC Residency Matching Program - Frequently Asked Questions

http://www.faimer.org/

a. Eligible Applicants MUST provide evidence that they have passed the USMLE Step 1 and 2 CK or IFOM-BSE and IFOM-CSE.

The minimum requirement for this year is USMLE Step 2 CK or IFOM-CSE. The IFOM-CSE pass scores should be equivalent to the pass scores of USMLE for that year (this score changes every year). Priority will be given to those who have passed both parts of any of the above exams.

These exams are intended to determine an examinee’s relative areas of strength and weakness in general areas of clinical science, not to predict clinical performance.

-NBME (http://www.nbme.org/pdf/ifom/IFOM_2012_CSE_SIG.pdf)

b. Applicants may register for the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK or IFOM-BSE and CSE online through the links below:

USMLE STEP 1 http://www.usmle.org/apply/

http://www.usmle.org/step-1/

USMLE STEP 2 CK http://www.usmle.org/apply/

http://www.usmle.org/step-2-ck/

IFOM-BSE http://ifombasic.startpractice.com

IFOM-CSE http://www.nbme.org/ifom/

c. Eligible Applicants MUST provide evidence that they have passed the English Language competency exams; IELTS (academic level) or TOEFL (professional level).

6. Are there acceptable alternative exams for HMC Residency Matching Programs?

The Canadian Evaluation Exam of the Medical Council of Canada (MCCEE) and Qualifying Examination of the Medical Council of Canada (MCCQE) Part 1 can be considered for applications to the HMC Residency Matching Programs.

Applicants may register for the MCCEE and the MCCQE Part 1 online through the links below:

MCCEE http://mcc.ca/examinations/mccee/

MCCQE Part 1 http://mcc.ca/examinations/mccqe-part-i/

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http://mcc.ca/examinations/mccqe-part-i/

http://mcc.ca/examinations/mccee/

http://www.nbme.org/ifom/

http://ifombasic.startpractice.com/

http://www.usmle.org/step-2-ck/

http://www.usmle.org/apply/

http://www.usmle.org/step-1/

http://www.usmle.org/apply/

http://www.nbme.org/pdf/ifom/IFOM_2012_CSE_SIG.pdf

7. Can applicants apply early and forward the exams results after the closing date?

HMC will NOT accept incomplete applications without the results of passing the required exams.

Applicants MUST submit a complete application and include copies of the results of the required exams in one package and send it to the Department of Medical Education at HMC before the closing date (December 17, 2015). Applications submitted after the closing date will NOT be accepted or reviewed.

8. What are the minimum scores required for TOEFL or IELTS Exams?

TOEFL PBT exam minimum passing score required is 550 TOEFL CBT exam minimum passing score required is 213 TOEFL IBT exam minimum passing score required is 80 (professional level)IELTS exam minimum passing score required is (7.0) (academic level)

9. What about any other exams (Australian or PLAB) - would they exempt me from sitting USMLE or IFOM?

HMC will ONLY accept USMLE, IFOM, and Canadian Exams for the HMC Residency Matching Programs. (Refer to Question 5)

10. Is there any exemption from taking the IELTS or TOEFL?All Applicants MUST submit evidence of passing the English Language Competency Exams (IELTS or TOEFL) as required for HMC Residency Matching Program Applications.Living in a country where the English Language or studying at a medical school where English is the official language will not exempt an applicant from taking the IELTS or TOEFL.

11. What about the visit visa process for the interviews?HMC is only responsible for issuing Visit Visa to applicants who will be shortlisted by the programs and invited for personal interview in Qatar. However, HMC will not cover or fund any travelling or living expenses for shortlisted applicants invited for the personal interviews.For applicants who require HMC to issue “OK to Board”, they must provide the Department of Medical Education with the following:

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a. Copy of Flight Itineraryb. Copy of Valid Passport for at least 6 monthsc. Copy of Entry-Visa Issued by HMC

12. What about the recruitment process in HMC? Applicants who will successfully pass the personal interviews and will be

matched in the Programs will receive an Offer of Employment from HMC Human Resources Department.

Applicants MUST respond to HR within (10) days from the date of receiving the Offer of Employment. If the applicants do not send acceptance to HR within (10) days, then the offer of employment will be cancelled and the post will no longer be available.

Normally, matched candidates will have to wait for period of few weeks to receive the Offer of Employment and obtain work visa to Qatar.

All matched and accepted applicants should join their respective programs on/or before July 1, 2017

13. How can I check on the status of my application? The Medical Education Department will inform the applicant via email once the complete application is received.Once shortlisted by the program for the personal interview, the candidate will then be notified by the Medical Education Department via E-mail.If the candidate passes the matching personal interview, he/she will be informed about the final matching result via E-mail, and the candidate may receive the Offer of Employment from HR Recruitment Section on later dates.All applicants are discouraged from making phone calls to the Department of Medical Education to follow on the status of their applications.

14. What are the Residency Programs sponsored by HMC and what is their duration?

S/N Program ACGME-I status

Duration of Training Approved Resident

Annual ComplimentArab Board (months)

1 Internal Medicine Accredited 48 502 General Surgery Accredited 60 63 Pediatrics Accredited 48 204 Obstetrics and Gynecology Accredited 60 55 Emergency Medicine Accredited 48 106 Family Medicine Accredited 48 137 Diagnostic Radiology Accredited 48 88 Anesthesia Accredited 48 69 Otolaryngology Accredited 60 210 Orthopedics Accredited 60 4

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11 Urology Accredited 60 312 Psychiatry Accredited 48 613 Ophthalmology Accredited 60 214 Cardiothoracic Surgery Non-ACGME-I 72 115 Community medicine Non-ACGME-I 48 316 Neurosurgery Non-ACGME-I 72 3

17 Anatomical Pathology Non-ACGME-I 48 2

15. What is the ACGME-I accreditation? And ACGME-I requirements?Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education International (ACGME-I) accreditation demonstrates that graduate medical education programs outside the United States meet established standards for Institutional, Foundational, and Advanced specialty education. The ACGME-I employs a comprehensive, peer-review process not only to evaluate, but also to improve and publicly recognize programs and sponsoring institutions in graduate medical education that meet – and often exceed – our standards of educational quality. - ACGME-International ( http://www.acgme-i.org/Requirements-and-Process-Overview/What-is-Accreditation )

Accreditation is not certification. HMC is NOT currently offering American Board Certification yet and graduates will sit for Arab Board Certification Exams.16. What is the Matching Process?

1. All applications are initially reviewed by the Dept of Medical Education for eligibility criteria. Candidates. Eligible applications will then be forwarded to the relevant residency program to be reviewed by the program’s selection committee. Applicants who are not shortlisted or do not meet the eligibility criteria will be notified by the Dept of Medical Education via E-mail. Such decision is final and appeals will not be considered.

2. Applications of Eligible Candidates will be reviewed by each Residency Program which the applicant chosen as the “First Choice”. The program selection committee may will shortlist suitable candidates for the personal interviews. Applicants who are rejected by the program’s selection committee will be notified by email and this decision is considered final. Shortlisted Applicants will be notified via E-mail regarding the details of the Residency Matching Interviews.

3. Each program will provide the Graduate Medical Education Office with a final list of matched candidates and a waiting list.

4. Following approval by the DIO (Designated Institutional Official), the results of the Residency Matching Programs will be announced.

5. Candidates shortlisted in the Waiting List will be called in the event that selected residents withdraw their applications. .Program Directors will review the Waiting List applications again and the Department of Medical Education may contact applicants on the Waiting List if they get selected by the Program.

17. What is the Letter of Intention (personal statement)? of 17


http://www.acgme-i.org/Requirements-and-Process-Overview/What-is-Accreditation

It is a short letter addressed for EACH PROGRAM expressing the applicant’s interest in joining a particular HMC Residency Program. The letter should also highlight the applicant’s strengths and experience to showcase his application to the department he/she has opted to apply to.

18. What is the Letter of Recommendation?The applicant must enumerate the persons indicated as referees for the applicant. The applicant must include the full name, official designation, email and other contact details for each referee whose names appear on the Recommendation Letters as attached on the Application.

19. What do interviewers focus on? Interviewers look primarily at communication skills, reasoning, ethics and

professionalism, English language competency, and understanding of the responsibilities and scope of the specialty of choice.

Applicants should have a strong reason for selecting any residency program as a first choice (that is applicant’s best choice).

State that clearly in the letter of intention for each program selected and be ready to answer why?

The selection decision is entirely an official Program Committee decision and is not subject to appeal or explanation to the candidate.

Some programs might demand competency in spoken Arabic language like Psychiatry, Family Medicine, and Community Medicine

Copies of all original documents and one set of the candidate’s application documents should be brought to the interviews by the candidate.

20. Can a resident transfer to another program after the match?

It is not possible or advisable. Candidate may risk losing his/her post in the program.21. What about the resident’s professional Language competency TOFEL or IELTS?

The resident is supposed to provide evidence of passing one of these tests before the closing date and a copy of the scores should be included in the application package.

The USMLE Step 2 CK component of spoken English does NOT replace IELTS or TOEFL.

It is advisable for a non-Arabic speaker to take a course in the Arabic language once they have been matched while waiting to start employment.

22. If a resident is matched to a program, what is the employment process?

The process is entirely done by the Human Resources Department and may take a few weeks to few months however residents should join the program before the 1st of July each year. The process includes:

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Labor department Approval Ministry of interior - CEID (Criminal Evidences and Information Department) Job offer from Human Resources – MUST respond within (10) days upon receipt Candidate Acceptance of the Offer of Employment Immigration process for Work Visa Applicants should provide Medical check-up clearance for Hepatitis B & C,

T.B., HIV

Sign a work agreement with HMC Medical Education after the credentialing of all certificates

23. What about resident salaries and benefits?

Residents will get paid monthly salary as per HMC Human Resources Department. They will start receiving salary from the date of signing the contract, with annual increments based on performance evaluation.Details of salary and benefits will be included in the Residents Terms and Conditions of Employment which will be attached to a contract of employment.

All residency programs start on July 1st each year.HMC is committed to equal opportunities, and the reliability,

fairness, and transparency of the matching process.

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APPENDIX (A) General Guidelines on Completing the Application

A. Applicants MUST complete the Application Forms electronically. (Handwritten applications WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED)

B. Application forms are available on HMC Website and can be downloaded, completed and then printed out.

https://www.hamad.qa/EN/Education-and-research/Medical-Education/Pages/default.aspx

C. After completing the Application Form, the applicant should send one copy with the attached required documents and keep one copy for their personal reference.

D. All mandatory required documents should be in English Language and if the original document is in another language it has to be officially translated into English and a copy of the original document should be attached to the translated document.

The documents requested with English Language are as follows:

a. Medical Degreeb. Transcript of Records from the Medical Schoolc. Internship Certificated. Evidence of Clinical Practice or Postgraduate Training (Certificates)e. Dean’s Report/Letter

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f. Medical Licenseg. Recommendation Letter/s

E. After completing the application, the applicant must make sure that all the required documents are available and attached according to the Check List Page.

F. Completed applications must be sent by registered mail courier or postal service (e.g. FedEx, UPS, Aramex, DHL) to this address:

Medical Education DepartmentHamad Medical CorporationP.O. Box 3050Al Rayyan Rd., DohaState of Qatar

The candidate is advised to keep the tracking reference number issued by the registered mail courier or postal service provider to regularly check and verify if the package was delivered and received by the Medical Education Office.

G. Faxed or E-mailed documents or applications are NOT accepted.

Guidelines on Completing the Application Form

1. Candidate NameCandidate Name should be ELECTRONICALLY-TYPED IN CAPITAL LETTERS and should reflect the same name as spelled on the applicant’s Passport.

2. Passport InformationPassport should be valid for minimum one year by the end of July 2016If the Passport will expire before April 2016, the applicant MUST have their passport renewed.

3. Contact DetailsApplicants must provide a valid E-mail address on the Application Form and CV. The Applicant should check the E-mail address provided regularly to follow-up responses from HMC. In some cases, E-mail providers may redirect certain e-mails to the Junk/Spam Folder. It is highly advised that the applicants should check their E-mail on a regular basis including the Junk/Spam Folder. Medical Education is not responsible if the candidate fails to receive or respond to any communication sent by the Medical Education Office.

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Applicants MUST provide their personal mobile number and their home phone number. Applicants living outside their home country should provide a contact number in their current country of residence and a contact number for their next of kin currently living in their respective home country.

4. Education and QualificationsName of Medical School/ College or Faculty should be ELECTRONICALLY-TYPED IN CAPITAL LETTERS as shown on the degree. Applicants must provide accurate details for the following:

i. Date of Joining the Medical Collegeii. Date of Graduation from the Medical College

(The Date of Passing the Final Exams, NOT the date of issuing the degree)

5. Other Academic QualificationsAll qualifications awarded to the applicant MUST be documented including the Name of Academic Qualification Awarded, the inclusive dates, awarding date, and country where the academic qualification was awarded.

6. Internship TrainingThe applicant MUST write the start date and the completion date of the internship training program as well as the institution and country where the internship training program was undertaken.

7. Medical LicenseThe candidate MUST indicate the License Number, Type of License, Country where the Medical License was issued and the validity of the license. The Candidate must either be eligible for licensing or was issued a valid medical license in the country where they currently practice.

8. LanguageApplicants must indicate their native language and second language then accordingly rate their competencies for each.

9. Postgraduate Training or Clinical Practice after completing Internship Training

The applicant must state the inclusive dates (from-to) for every period of post-internship practice or training in chronological order starting from the most recent. The applicant MUST provide reference and support with

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evidence (i.e. document from the hospital or health institution or university). Undocumented experience will be considered as gap in training or clinical practice. If there is a gap in clinical practice or training, the applicant is required to state the duration of the gap including the details regarding the gap period. A. Current Clinical PostThe applicant MUST specify the current clinical post held at the time of completing the application including the Title/Position, Institution/Hospital name, Country where the institution/hospital is based, Inclusive Dates of the current clinical post and the Type of Training.

B. Other Clinical Training PostThe applicant MUST specify the clinical post/s held previously including the Title/Position, Institution/Hospital name, Country where the institution/hospital is based, Inclusive Dates of the clinical post and the Type of Training.

10.Letters of RecommendationThe applicant MUST enumerate the persons indicated as referees for the applicant. The applicant must include the Full Name, Official Designation, E-mail and other Contact Details for each referee whose names appear on the Recommendation Letters as attached with the Application.

A. Dean’s Letter

The Dean’s Letter is usually prepared to provide an evaluation and summary of the medical student’s achievements across all aspects of their medical education. The current terminology associated with the Dean’s Letter is the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE).

B. Letter from the Current Supervisor or Program Director

If the candidate is currently working or enrolled in a Residency Program, he/she is required to submit letter from immediate Supervisor or Program Director, as relevant, confirming that he/she is currently working in good standing.

C. Letter from Other Consultants

The candidate is required to submit a letter of recommendation from a consultant or faculty who he/she worked with closely within the university or during postgraduate training or experience.

11. Matching Choices of 17


The Applicant must select only two (2) programs as FIRST CHOICE and SECOND CHOICE.

HMC will give more weight to the first choice, and the application will be screened by the concerned program. The candidates may not get the opportunity to be interviewed in the Second Choice Program as it depends on available posts.

12. Exam Results/Scores - Mandatory Exam Results

The Applicant must indicate his/her exam scores for the mandatory exams (USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK or IFOM-BSE and IFOM-CSE) in the Application Form and submit copies along with the completed application.

The minimum requirement for this year is USMLE Step 2 CK or IFOM-CSE (Question 5)

If the candidate is matched for a program, he/she is required to request IFOM or ECFMG centers to send a copy of the candidate’s exam results directly to Medical Education Department.

Matched Candidates holding exam results for USMLE-Step 2 CK should complete ECFMG Request Form 172 for verification report to the mailing address below:

Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal Director, Medical Education Medical Education Department Hamad Medical CorporationAl Rayyan P.O. Box 3050Doha, Qatar

Matched Candidates holding exam results for IFOM-CSE are required to provide the Medical Education with their Username and Password through the NBME website. Medical Education will download the result from the website for verification.

13. English Language Competency Test Scores

The Applicant must indicate his/her exam scores for the English Language Competency Exams (IELTS or TOEFL) in the Application Form and submit copies of the exam results along with the completed application.Original Copies of the English Language Competency Exam Scores should be forwarded by the exam centers to the HMC Medical Education Department once the eligible candidate gets shortlisted for the personal interviews.

Additional Information of 17


The Applicant may indicate any other information related to their application into the Residency Matching Programs. Any additional information, including certifications, merits should be submitted with verifiable evidence.

The Applicant must make sure that all copies of the documents provided are true copies of the originals.

Any information provided in the Applicant’s CV should be accompanied with an official document as verification (from hospital officials, Chairs, Program Directors, Deans or university officials) including the applicant’s current post, previous rotations or training period, internship.

The Medical Education Department performs primary source verification (credentialing) for all documents provided by the Resident through (Data Flow Company).

Providing any false documents will be discovered and this may subject the candidate to legal consequences and dismissal from the program.

APPENDIX (B) Guidelines on Formatting Your CV

I. Personal Informationa. Name

i. Name should reflect the same spelling as indicated on the Candidate’s Passport

b. Gender

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c. Civil Statusd. Nationalitye. Date of Birthf. Passport

i. Include Passport Number and Date of Validity

II. Contact Information

a. Candidatei. Home Phone Number, Mobile Phone Number, Fax Numberii. E-Mail Addressiii. Postal Address

b. Next of Kin (in case of emergency)i. Home Phone Number, Mobile Phone Number, Fax Numberii. E-Mail Addressiii. Postal Address

III. Education and Qualifications

a. Undergraduate Degreei. Name of Institutionii. Degree Awardediii. Date Awarded

b. Internship Trainingi. Hospitalii. Countryiii. Period of Internship Training

c. Postgraduate Qualification/s (MA, PhD, MSc)i. Qualification Awardedii. Date Awardediii. Institution

d. Other Qualifications and Certificationsi. Qualification/ Certificationii. Date Awarded/ Certified

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iii. Name of Certifying Body

e. Medical Licensei. Medical License Number and Typeii. Issuing Countryiii. Validity Dates

IV. Exam Scores

a. Mandatory Examsi. USMLE Step 1 and 2 CK or IFOM-BSE and CSE

b. Other Exam Scoresi. (e.g. USMLE 2 CS, 3)

c. English Competency Examsi. IELTS (Academic Level ) – Minimum Score (7.0)ii. TOEFL

1. IBT (Professional Level) – Minimum Score (80)2. CBT – Minimum Score (213)3. PBT – Minimum Score (550)

V. Clinical Practice or Postgraduate Traininga. Current Clinical Postb. Previous Clinical Practice or Postgraduate Training

i. Gaps in Clinical Practice must be clearly indicated including the dates

VI. Scholarly Activitiesa. Research and other Publicationsb. Courses and Workshops Attended

VII. Interest and Extra-curricular Activitiesi. Personal Interestsii. Hobbiesiii. Social Club Membershipsiv. Volunteer work and Community Service

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