Conjoint Selection Exercise for Admission to Higher Surgical

Conjoint Selection Exercise for Admission to Higher Surgical Training (May 05) Briefing Session 8 April 05 Dr W C Yip Dr W K Ching

Objective The conjoint selection exercise aims to match candidates with appropriate potential and aptitude to different specialties for higher training

Points to Note Ø This is a selection exercise (real business) Ø No. of eligible BSTs > No. of HST available posts Ø Please do NOT think if the no. of eligible BSTs matched with the HST post in your hospital, then it is perfectly ok. There can be Mishap!! Ø Interview is an art: You need to be wellprepared & demonstrate you are better than other candidates.

Assessment Criteria üTraining Progress (……) üHA SDR üReferee Assessment üInterview Performance üDiscretion of Specialty Boards 30% 20% 20% 10%

Assessment Criteria (Cont’d) Training Progress v ICB assessment v No. of attempts in exam v Publications v Paper presentation v Research projects

Selection for Higher Training ü GS ü Plastic Surgery ü Paediatric Surgery ü Urology ü Cardiothoracic Surgery ü Neurosurgery ü O&T ü ENT Emergency Medicine

Conjoint Selection Exercise (May 04) q. Applicants: 39 q Matched with 1 st priority: 35 q Matched with 2 nd priority: 2 (but 1 declined offer) q Not Matched: 1 q Declined Offer: 1

Conjoint Selection Exercise (Nov 04) Applicants: 20 q Matched with 1 st priority*: 14 q Matched with 2 nd priority (but declined offer): 1 q Not Matched: 5 q * Conditional offer to 2 candidates who would be sitting the new ICB examination or equivalent

Conjoint Selection Exercise (May 05) Conjoint Selection Interviews 19 May 2005

Conjoint Selection Exercise (May 05) Composition of the Selection Panel v HA Representative v HST Program Directors of the nine Surgical Specialties v Representative from the HKICBSC

Time Schedule for May 05 Exercise 4 th wk Mar End Mar a) Reply on inclination to join the exercise b) Ensure HA SDR & HKICBSC assessments ready & start to identify 3 referees (other than supervisors completing SDR) Receive invitation of application Mid Apr Submit application + standardized CV + HKICBSC assessments + name of 3 referees Mid/End Apr (Selection panel calls for HA SDR + referee assessments) 19 May 05 Eligible BSTs to attend selection interview End May/ early Jun Receive selection results

Conjoint Selection Exercise (May 05) Number of old/ new MRCS holders having completed basic training 19 Number of posts To be confirmed

Appeal Mechanism - Counselling on alternative career path is the main track. - Decision of the Panel can be appealed to the Chairman of the Central Committee on Surgical Training & Chairman of the Conjoint Selection Panel.

Common Interview Questions • • Why do/ don’t you choose these specialties? What have you done to know more. . ? Why are you better than your colleagues? Please explain on extraordinary assessments in SDR / ICB /referee assessments. • Tell us your role in this research activity. etc

FAQ

1. Does my second choice matter? • Candidates can be selected irrespective of whether it is 1 st or 2 nd choice if assessed to be suitable

2. What happens if I decline the offer? • Reapply during remaining contract period if: – training to be completed within 7 years of training contract; and – remaining contract period allows reattempt in next exercise