ISLAMABAD: A recent decision by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), requiring every medical student to take an exam following the completion of a house job, has created confusion and apprehension among graduation.

PMDC Deputy Registrar Dr Shaista Faisal said the decision has been made in the best interest of the public to ensure only competent doctors are allowed to practice. She said there is confusion among graduates because they are not fully aware of what the new policy entails.

According to a notification, available with Dawn, the PMDC Executive Committee has decided to introduce Assessment/Exit Exam after one year house job from May 1, 2015. After this day, no house job experience certificate will be accepted by the PMDC, unless the graduate has cleared the test after which their provisional registration certificate will be converted to a permanent registration certificate.

However, the decision has caused apprehension among medical students as they fear being unable to practice after the completion of their house job.

Young Doctors Association (YDA) Islamabad General Secretary Dr Farooq Shah said no such policy exists anywhere in the world.

Students must sit exam after house job

“It appears that extra burden has been put on students so that more money can be earned through additional exam fees,” he said.

He said medical graduates, both MBBS and BDS, study for four to five years and clear numerous exams. In their last year, they complete a house job to practice the skills learnt during their degree by practically treating patients.

“Until 2010, graduates would get registered after completion of their medicine degree. After 2010, it was decided that a temporary registration certificate would be given until students complete their house job. After successful completion of their house job, they would be fully registered,” he said.

He said that students are puzzled about whether their medical colleges would hold these exams or the PMDC.

“Moreover, it is unclear what would happen if they do not clear this exam. They will be unable to apply for jobs without their registration certificates,” he said.

He said that new graduates will not be able to apply for admission in postgraduate degrees such as Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP) because possessing a registration certificate is a prerequisite for application.

YDA Chairman Asfandyar Khan said there are thousands of graduates who will suffer because of the PMDC’s policy.

“The notification should be withdrawn immediately because such policies discourage students from pursuing medicine degrees,” he said.

A PMDC official, requesting anonymity, said while it was a good decision, it has been taken without proper planning and even the PMDC is uncertain about its implementation.

“There is no structure in mind. Those who do their house jobs in Gynaecology or Pediatrics may have to take the exam for medicine and surgery. Moreover, it is unclear whether those who fail to clear the exam after their house job will have to repeat their house job,” he said.

He said that it is not yet certain whether any existing university will conduct this exam or if a new body will be established for the purpose.

“Those finishing their house job next month were unaware of the PMDC’s decision. This decision was not brought up in the PMDC Council and was made by the PMDC Executive Committee,” he said.

PMDC Deputy Registrar Dr Shaista Faisal told Dawn the issue is being overcomplicated. She said graduates who complete their house job will take the test and will not be charged any fees.

“Students will only be tested on topics related to their house job. If they fail the exam, they will not have to repeat their house job but simply retake the test after 10 to 15 days,” she said.

Dr Shaista said that many countries require graduates to take an exam after their house job.

“The decision has been made because a number of students complete house jobs in District Headquarters Hospitals where there are no doctors to supervise them. We cannot allow incompetent doctors to put peoples’ lives at risk,” she said.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2015

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