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)

August 2011

Updated

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 dont 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 . ECFMG 3624 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 191042685 Application materials: Website: http://www.ecfmg.org

Step 1 or Step 2(CK or CS)

Students and graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada

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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 doesnt 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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Residents 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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