Examination
-
Examination Information
Membership and Fellowship Examination
To identify those surgeons in training who have a broad knowledge of surgery in general or in different specialties, the College of Surgeons of Hong Kong (CSHK) established and organized a variety of examinations to verify the necessary knowledge and skills that a fully-pledged surgeon should be equipped with. There are currently two levels of examinations for the attainment of CSHK's membership and fellowship.
The Hong Kong Intercollegiate Board of Surgical Colleges Membership (MHKICBSC) Examination
The College of Surgeons of Hong Kong has established its own membership examination (MHKICBSC Examination) in 2008 which is internationally recognised. The MHKICBSC Examination is organized by the Hong Kong Intercollegiate Board of Surgical Colleges (HKICBSC) comprising the Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine, Hong Kong College of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Hong Kong College of Otorhinolaryngologists and the College of Surgeons of Hong Kong (the Colleges).
The MHKICBSC Examination consists of 3 Parts:
Part 1 - Applied Basic Sciences Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) paper
Part 2 - Clinical Problem Solving Extended Matching Question (EMQ) paper
Part 3 - Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)- Parts 1 and 2
Parts 1 and 2 are multiple choice papers. Part 1 paper tests on Applied Basic Science of Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology. Part 2 paper tests on knowledge of Clinical Problem Solving. Both MCQ papers may be taken at any time after possessing a primary medical qualification from Medical School in Hong Kong or other qualification which deemed equivalent by HKICBSC. Mainland China trainees from Mainland China training centres accredited by the constituent Colleges of HKICBSC (provided that they undergo such training at the time of or after the relevant accreditation) are also eligible to enter the Examination. Each paper stands alone; candidates will be awarded either a pass or fail. Candidates must start Basic Surgical Training within 3 years after passing the Parts 1 or 2, whichever is taken the latest, otherwise candidates have to retake the examinations before they are eligible to take the Part 3 Examination. Both papers must be passed before candidates may enter the Part 3 Examination.
Mainland Training Centres accredited by CSHK: Go to Training page
- Part 3
After a minimum of six months of Basic Surgical Training, candidates may apply for sitting the Part 3 Examination which is an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). The OSCE consists of 16 stations and is divided into 2 broad content areas of Basic & Applied Science, as well as Communication and Clinical.
Basic Surgical Trainees MUST PASS all parts of MHKICBSC Examination within 4 years counting from the commencement date of Basic Surgical Training. Those who cannot do so will be removed from the Surgical Training.
Candidates must read the Regulations and Syllabus for the Examination for details which are available from the website of the College of Surgeons of Hong Kong: Go to Examination page
Upon the successful completion of 2-year basic surgical training and all parts of the membership examination within a maximum period of 4 years counting from the first day of basic surgical training, trainees can attain membership from the CSHK and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd).
Fellowship Examination (Exit Exam)
The College of Surgeons of Hong Kong (CSHK) is conducting Joint Specialty Fellowship Examination (Exit Exam) with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) in Cardiothoracic Surgery, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Paediatric Surgery, and Urology. The Conjoint Examination with the RCSEd in Plastic Surgery will be conducted soon.
The higher surgical trainees in General Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Urology are required to complete a 4-year training program. However, they can take the Fellowship Examination in their respective specialties upon satisfactory completion of 3.5-year higher surgical training.
For higher surgical trainees in Neurosurgery and Cardiothoracic Surgery, they are required to complete a 5-year training program, but they can make their first attempt for the Fellowship Examination after satisfactory completion of 3.5-year higher surgical training.
Subject to the specialties' own Examination format, the Fellowship Examination consists of viva, clinical and written exams. For details of Examination format, please refer to the Examination Regulations of respective specialties.
On successful completion of all requirements for the training program and the Fellowship Examination, the trainees will be elected for dual Fellowships including the Fellowship of the CSHK and the Fellowship of the RCSEd (except Plastic Surgery). They would also be eligible for being nominated for the Fellowship of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine.
