Circular No. 42/2018/TT-BYT stipulates additional training for individuals holding a bachelor's degree in medicine issued by foreign countries.

CIRCULAR

REGULATIONS ON COMPLEMENTARY TRAINING FOR HOLDERS OF FOREIGN-DERIVED MEDICAL GRADUATE DEGREES

Pursuant to the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment dated November 23, 2009;

Pursuant to Decree No. 109/2016/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2016 of the Government stipulating the issuance of practice certificates for practitioners and permits for medical examination and treatment facilities;

Pursuant to Decree No. 75/2017/NĐ-CP dated June 20, 2017 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Training, Ministry of Health;

The Minister of Health issues this Circular stipulating complementary training for holders of foreign-derived medical graduate degrees.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the basis, subjects, contents, duration of complementary training, and issuance of Certificates of Completion of Complementary Training Programs to be deemed equivalent to a Doctor's degree and to obtain a practice certificate for medical examination and treatment with the title of Doctor according to the field of study for holders of foreign-derived medical graduate degrees.

Article 2. Basis for Complementary Training

The institution providing complementary training is an educational institution currently offering undergraduate programs in the corresponding field and meeting the following requirements:

1. Having been issued a Quality Assurance Certificate for Educational Institutions in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

2. Meeting all conditions to offer a program of study as prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Training.

3. Possessing practical training facilities that meet the requirements stipulated in Decree No. 111/2017/NĐ-CP dated October 5, 2017 of the Government regarding the organization of practical training in health-related fields.

4. Having at least one graduating class in the corresponding field of complementary training.

Article 3. Subjects of Complementary Training

Vietnamese citizens holding a foreign-derived medical graduate degree recognized by the Ministry of Education and Training as equivalent to an undergraduate degree who wish to undergo complementary training to practice in hospitals and apply for a practice certificate for medical examination and treatment.

Article 4. Determination of Field of Complementary Training

1. The field of complementary training for individuals holding a foreign-derived medical graduate degree shall be determined as follows:

a) Medicine for those who have completed a foreign-derived medical graduate program including a total volume of knowledge from specialized courses/sub-courses in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Internal Medicine and Surgical specialties accounting for more than 35% of the total volume of knowledge in the program.

b) Dentistry for a foreign-derived medical graduate program including a total volume of knowledge from specialized courses/sub-courses in Dentistry accounting for more than 35% of the total volume of knowledge in the program.

c) Traditional Medicine for a foreign-derived medical graduate program including a total volume of knowledge from specialized courses/sub-courses in Traditional Medicine accounting for more than 35% of the total volume of knowledge in the program.

2. Based on the foreign-derived medical graduate degree and transcript of the individual seeking complementary training, the head of the training institution shall determine the field of complementary training for that individual in accordance with Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 5. Volume of knowledge, duration, and content of supplementary training

1. For the Medical field:

The minimum volume of knowledge and content of supplementary training is 48 credits corresponding to 18 months of concentrated study, including:

a) Specialized knowledge in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics: 32 credits;

b) Specialized knowledge in Internal Medicine specialty: 05 credits;

c) Specialized knowledge in Surgery specialty: 05 credits;

d) Knowledge in Preventive Medicine and Public Health: 06 credits.

2. For the Dentistry field:

The minimum volume of knowledge and content of supplementary training is 40 credits corresponding to 12 months of concentrated study, including:

a) Basic Dental knowledge: 06 credits;

b) Restorative Dental knowledge: 15 credits;

c) Preventive Dental knowledge: 10 credits;

d) Pathology and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery knowledge: 09 credits.

e) Optional specialized knowledge in Dentistry: 10 credits.

3. For the Traditional Medicine field:

The minimum volume of knowledge and content of supplementary training is 40 credits corresponding to 12 months of concentrated study, including:

a) Nursing knowledge: 02 credits;

b) Preclinical practice knowledge: 03 credits;

c) Specialized knowledge in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Emergency Care, Rehabilitation: 28 credits;

d) Traditional Medicine specialized knowledge: 07 credits.

4. Based on the volume of knowledge, minimum duration, and content of supplementary training stipulated in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of this Article and the bachelor's program in medicine provided by foreign institutions along with the transcript of the person seeking supplementary training, the head of the training institution shall direct the development, approval, and issuance of the supplementary training program for each field suitable for the training target to have equivalent qualifications to a physician in the respective field. The supplementary training program must ensure that clinical training accounts for at least 70% of the total credit volume of the training program.

Article 6. Admission Examination

1. Persons seeking supplementary training must complete two (2) examinations on basic field knowledge and field/specialty knowledge; each examination must achieve a minimum quality assurance score of five (5) points out of ten (10) to be eligible for admission.

2. Format: multiple-choice test lasting ninety (90) minutes or essay test lasting one hundred twenty (120) minutes.

3. The head of the training institution decides on the format, content of the examination, and publicly announces it forty-five (45) days prior to receiving applications for supplementary training.

Article 7. Supplementary Training Quotas

The training institution determines the annual supplementary training quota not exceeding twenty percent (20%) of the enrollment quota for undergraduate programs in the corresponding field in that academic year. The supplementary training quota does not count towards the total undergraduate enrollment quota annually determined by the training institution according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Article 8. Forms, Organization, and Management of Training

1. Form of training: concentrated at the training institution.

2. The training institution organizes management and implementation of supplementary training for each field according to the program established as prescribed in Clause 4 of Article 5 of this Circular.

3. Organizing examinations and evaluations of courses/subjects within the training program shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the regular undergraduate training system based on credit hours of the Ministry of Education and Training.

4. Managing and archiving records and related documents of training sessions at the unit and implementing reporting procedures as prescribed.

5. Managing the issuance of certificates of completion of supplementary training programs according to current regulations for awarding diplomas and certificates.

6. Managing students according to the student affairs regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training.

Article 9. Inspection and Evaluation of Output Results

Training institutions organize inspections and evaluations of graduates' output capabilities to ensure that learners have equivalent capabilities to doctors in the same field at the training institution.

Article 10. Issuance of Certificate of Completion for Supplementary Training Program

1. Learners shall be issued a Certificate of Completion for the Supplementary Training Program by the training institution upon meeting the following requirements:

a) Not currently under criminal investigation;

b) Not currently subject to disciplinary action from the training institution at the warning level or higher;

c) Participating in the full duration and accumulating all credits stipulated by the training program issued by the training institution;

d) Achieving satisfactory results in the inspection and evaluation of output capabilities;

e) Fulfilling all obligations towards the training institution.

2. The model of the Certificate of Completion for the Supplementary Training Program is prescribed in the Appendix attached to this Circular.

Article 11. Training Costs for Supplementary Programs

1. Supplementary training institutions determine supplementary training costs based on the principle of accurately calculating expenses, ensuring revenue covers expenses, and maintaining transparency.

2. Supplementary training costs are borne by the supplementary trainees themselves.

Article 12. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from March 1, 2019.

2. Supplementary training institutions may commence supplementary training from the date this Circular takes effect and issue Certificates of Completion for the Supplementary Training Program as prescribed in Article 10 of this Circular.

Article 13. Transitional Provisions

1. For those who have been issued a practice certificate as a bachelor of medicine, they shall be reissued a certificate as a doctor according to point b, Clause 2, Article 5 of Decree No. 109/2016/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2016 of the Government.

2. For those who have been issued a supplementary training certificate or certification before this Circular takes effect but have not yet received a practice certificate, after fulfilling the required time practicing at a hospital, they shall be issued a practice certificate as a doctor according to point b, Clause 2, Article 5 of Decree No. 109/2016/NĐ-CP dated July 1, 2016 of the Government.

3. For those who were undergoing supplementary training before this Circular took effect, they shall continue their training to achieve the desired output results according to the approved training program and be issued a supplementary training certificate or certification according to regulations prior to this Circular taking effect.

Article 14. Implementation Organization

1. The Department of Science, Technology and Training shall take the lead and coordinate with the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment, the Department of Traditional Medicine and related units under the Ministry to direct, guide, urge, and inspect the implementation of this Circular by supplementary training institutions.

2. Training institutions shall report the results of input inspections and evaluations and the issuance of supplementary training certificates to the Department of Science, Technology and Training - Ministry of Health before December 15 each year.

During the implementation of this Circular, if there are difficulties or obstacles, relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals are requested to reflect and report them to the Department of Science, Technology and Training - Ministry of Health for consideration and resolution./.