Ministry of Health proposes new medical residency training standards

The Ministry of Health is consulting on a draft circular to reform postgraduate medical training, specifically regarding residency and specialist doctor programs. A key proposal requires residency students to undergo a professional competency assessment after their first year. Students who fail this assessment twice in a row will be forced to withdraw from the program.

Under the new proposal, the traditional Specialist Level I and Level II models may be replaced by training focused on competency. Residency programs will be designed for recent graduates to develop expertise, while specialist training will target doctors who already hold practicing licenses.

To ensure stability, the draft includes transitional provisions. Students currently enrolled in or having completed the old Specialist I, Specialist II, or residency programs before the new circular takes effect will be allowed to continue and graduate under the existing regulations.