Policy framed for induction of doctors as postgraduate trainees

Selection will take place based on recommendations of committees made by heads of institutions.

LAHORE: The selection of doctors for post graduate training at teaching hospitals in the Punjab will be conducted twice a year, preferably in December-January and June-July, for Fellow of College of Physicians and Surgeons and once a year for MD, MS, MPhil and diploma trainees in December-January, a new policy formed by the Health Department states.

The policy was recently circulated to medical colleges, CPSP universities, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and teaching hospitals in the Punjab.

The policy, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, states that the principal, dean or head of relevant institutions would form a selection committee. The selection of postgraduates would be made on its recommendations.  The total marks for the interview would be 25.

The policy says that the merit list will be prepared after ascertaining academic qualifications (this is worth 55 marks). Two marks would be awarded for each professional examination passed at the first attempt (maximum 10 marks), five marks would be awarded for medals and distinctions during MBBS, three marks for research papers in an indexed medical journal (if any) as the primary author, two marks for co-authoring the papers and one mark for case reports. Four marks will be awarded for passing the FCPS I exam in a year after completing house job, two marks for completing the FCPS I in two years after the house job and one mark if a candidate cleared his or her FCPS I exam in more than two years after completing house job. Candidates of the same institution will be awarded 10 marks, candidates from other public sector institutions will be awarded five marks and candidates with a Punjab domicile admitted against reciprocal seas will be awarded three marks.

The remaining 25 marks will be awarded based on the aggregate marks of all professional examinations, the maximum marks of all professional exams and percentage of marks. The marks for the interview will be subdivided. Ten marks would be for aptitude, attitude and communication skills and 15 for technical skills and knowledge. The selection committee would comprise the principal, dean or head of department as chairman, a medical superintendent, a head of medical faculty, a head of surgical faculty and a head of the respective department or supervisor.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th,2014.