Revised Housemanship Training Period to Enhance Productivity and Quality
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has emphasized that the proposed shorter housemanship training period is not intended to tackle the shortage of medical officers but to enhance productivity through more focused and efficient training. The goal is to achieve a more efficient training process, which aligns with the Medical Act 1971 (Act 50), which mandates a minimum training period of one year.
Background and Rationale
The training period was extended to two years in 2008 due to the rise in the number of medical graduates, but the number of senior medical officers was insufficient to supervise and support the training. Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan stated that the MOH is now reviewing the proposal to revert the housemanship training period to one year, which is in line with practices in other countries and is more efficient, provided that training quality is enhanced based on a comprehensive evaluation of the existing system and the latest developments in Malaysia’s healthcare sector.
Stakeholder Engagement and Feedback
The MOH held engagement sessions with stakeholders, including the Malaysian Medical Council, Academy of Medicine Malaysia, higher education institutions, and heads of specialists, to gather feedback and suggestions. The primary focus of the proposal is to enhance the clinical exposure and motivation of housemen, addressing issues frequently raised by them, such as heavy workloads and lack of recognition.
Training Structure and Objectives
If the shorter training period is implemented, the first year of housemanship will cover the Medical, Surgical, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology Departments. In the second year, housemen will serve as junior medical officers in the Paediatrics, Orthopedics, and Emergency Medicine Departments on a rotational basis. Training in anesthesia, psychiatry, and family medicine will be integrated into the training schedule to ensure a more efficient training process.
Performance Evaluation and Monitoring
The MOH will ensure that housemen achieve the required competency before becoming junior medical officers. Training supervisors will play a crucial role in training, monitoring, and evaluating their performance. If their performance is unsatisfactory, the training period may be extended to ensure their quality and competency.
Conclusion
The revised housemanship training period is a step towards enhancing productivity and quality in the healthcare sector. By streamlining the training process, the MOH aims to provide housemen with a more focused and efficient training experience, addressing the issues of heavy workloads and lack of recognition. The proposed changes will also align with international best practices and ensure that housemen are well-prepared to become competent junior medical officers.
FAQs
Q: What is the current housemanship training period?
A: The current housemanship training period is two years, which was extended from one year in 2008.
Q: Why is the MOH proposing to revert to a one-year training period?
A: The MOH is proposing to revert to a one-year training period to enhance productivity and quality, aligning with international best practices and ensuring that housemen are well-prepared to become competent junior medical officers.
Q: What are the benefits of the revised training period?
A: The revised training period will provide housemen with a more focused and efficient training experience, addressing issues of heavy workloads and lack of recognition, and aligning with international best practices.
Q: How will the performance of housemen be evaluated?
A: The performance of housemen will be evaluated by training supervisors, who will monitor and assess their progress, and extend the training period if necessary to ensure their quality and competency.