Department of Medical Education Graduate Medical Education Office (GMEO)

HMC Residency Eligibility, Selection & Matching Process 2013 Intake

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Updated in April 2012

(A) HMC Residency Eligibility, Selection, Matching Process and Admissions 2013 Intake 1. 1 2 3 Who can apply for HMC Residency Training Programs? All Qatari Interns HMC Interns Graduates of medical schools registered in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) http://www.Faimer.org who completed their Rotating or Straight Internship less than 3 years back (from the date of completing Internship, whether Rotating or Straight Post Graduation Internship.) 4 Candidates should be eligible for licensing in their own country of origin and eligible for licensing in the State of Qatar. 5 Applicants should meet all the eligibility criteria and requirements.

2. What is Internship? Internship is either rotating (post-graduation or practice) or straight internship. We consider first year of any post graduate training as Straight Internship year. We do not consider last year in Medical School as internship. Could my Application be considered if I have graduated more than 3 years back? (maximum 5-years back from the date of completing internship) You may apply and we will review your application. We could consider your application if your CV shows that you have special skills and relevant experience or research in the specialty you are applying for. Priority is still for the most recent graduates especially those with relevant experience in their chosen advanced specialty program. 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 formal supervised training after interruption of their clinical practice. HMC is not providing that sort of training for such applicants. (Please dont apply for clinical attachment or elective rotations). 5. What are the eligibility criteria and requirements for HMC Residency Programs? a Evidence of passing at minimum USMLE Step 2 CK, and preferably USMLE Step 1 or IFOM Exam. b Evidence of English Language competency IELTS (academic level) or TOEFL (professional level). 6. What are the acceptable alternative exams? International Foundations of Medicine (IFOM) Exam is currently the only acceptable alternative to USMLE. International Foundations of Medicine (IFOM) Exam is provided by the National Board of Medical Examiners and is conducted in Qatar and Beirut. For more details about IFOM Exams please visit: www.nbme.org/students/ifom/index.html For admissions to our residency programs the IFOM pass scores should be equivalent to the passing score of USMLE (minimum score equivalent to 75 on USMLE 2-digit score) 7. Can I apply early and forward my Exam results after the closing date? No, sorry You must forward your complete application and exam results together before the closing date (as advertised). Incomplete applications will not be considered or reviewed. No. Applications will be accepted after.he closing date. 8. How to register for the USMLE exams? For details, check the ECFMG Webpage http://www.ecfmg.org. 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 (7.0) or above, academic level. 10. How to get the Residency Application Forms? Download from HMC website: www.hamad.qa Residency Program: Please complete the application form in CAPITAL LETTERS OR TYPE. Completed application forms should be submitted to Medical Education in person or by Courier or Registered mail. Emails or Faxes are not accepted. 3 sets of required documents (Copies) should accompany the completed Application Form. ORIGINAL documents are NOT REQUIRED Make sure that all documents provided are true authenticated copies of the originals. We perform primary source verification (credentialing) for all applicants documents through (Data Flow Company). Providing any false documents will be discovered and this may subject the candidate to legal consequences. 11. What if I applied but was not matched this year? You should try again and apply next year, if you are still eligible. 12. What about any other Exams (Canadian, Australian or PLAB) would exempt me from sitting USMLE ? No, Only IFOM (International Foundations of Medicine) Exam is considered as alternative to USMLE exams. 3.

13. What about the IFOM Exam in Qatar? IFOM exam is provided by the NBME and delivered by Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar twice 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. Application forms will be available in our webpage. 14. What about the visit visas and residency permit process? HMC is not responsible for travelling or living expenses for the interviews, the matching or the time spent waiting for employment until you sign the contract. We will obtain visit visas for the eligible candidates who are finally selected for the interviews. Once you get selected through the competitive match and further approved for recruitment, HMC will issue you a working visa and residency permit. 15. How long does the recruitment process take after the match? A minimum of two months after the match and before July. 16. How can I check on the status of my application or recruitment process? If you get shortlisted you will be informed via email and will be invited for the matching interviews. Once you get selected after the interviews you will be informed and HMC Human Resources Department (HR) will be your reference for follow up. HR will contact you once your recruitment process is complete 17. What are the Residency Programs sponsored by HMC & their duration according to the Arab Board of Medical Specialization? HMC Residency Programs 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Medicine (4 years) General surgery (5 years) Pediatrics (4 years) Ob/Gyn (5 years) Emergency medicine (4 years) Family medicine (4 year) Community medicine (4 year) Diagnostic radiology (4 years) Anesthesia (4 years) Ophthalmology (4 years) ENT (4 years) Urology (5 years) Orthopedics (5 years) Pediatric surgery (6 years) Neurosurgery (6 years) Maxillofacial Surgery (5 years) Plastic Surgery 6 years Number of Posts Annually 30 - 40 05 - 10 10 - 15 10 - 15 07 - 10 10 - 15 03 - 04 06 - 10 06 - 10 03 - 04 03 - 04 03 - 04 05 - 08 02 03 02 03 - 05

18. 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 obtaining institutional accreditation by July 2012 and for advanced specialty programs accreditation by July 2013. 19. What is the Matching Process? First Match Process: 1. Only complete applications will be reviewed by HMC Graduate Medical Education Office (GMEO) and eligible candidates will be short listed based on meeting the eligibility criteria. 2. Medical Education will provide residency program directors with ranked shortlisted applications. 3. The matching 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. 4. Shortlisted applicants files will be reviewed by each residency program and the program might shortlist the applicants again based on number of applicants. 5. Shortlisted applicants will be notified about the dates of interviews by email. 6. Dates and the time of final interviews will be coordinated with the Residency Programs. 7. The interviews will be conducted by a group of examiners including the program directors, chair/head, 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. 10. After approved by the DIO/Deputy Chief of Staff for Medical Education the results of the first match will be announced. 11. After the entire first match is completed 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 th second match (residual). 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 may be called to fill in those posts. 20. What is the Letter of Intention (personal statement)? You should write one letter for each specialty you apply for summarizing your CV and 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 a half a page) and attach that letter with your updated CV. 21. 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 eligible. Some candidate might be placed on waiting list. 22. What if I like to transfer to another program after I was matched? It is not possible or advisable. No Guarantees. Unless there is a vacant post, pending the approvals of both program directors and the DIO. 23. What about the process of employment if I got matched to a program? The process may take few months. It includes: Labor Department approval Ministry of Interior approval Job offer from Human Resources Candidate accepts the offer Immigration process for working visa Medical Checkup on arrival Then you sign a contract with HMC and Medical Education Department. Medical Education Department role ends after selecting the residents and after the approval of the lists by HMC Managing Director. Then all records and files of selected candidates are 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. 24. 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 Residents Terms and Conditions of Employment attached to your contract.

Applicants should make sure that all information provided are true and all documents are authenticated. HMC will conduct primary source verification (credentialing) of all provided relevant information and documents. In case, HMC will find any false information or documents the applicant will face legal consequences and the contract with the HMC will be void. All residency programs will start on July 01 each year. HMC is very concerned and committed to equal opportunities, fairness, and transparency of matching process. Medical Education Department will observe all interviews and document all results. GOOD LUCK