This information was provided by Associate Professor Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management ( Ministry of Health ), at the Conference on Disseminating Government Decree 96 detailing some provisions of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment (amended), on April 9th.

The medical doctor professional certification exam is about to be held.

According to Mr. Khue, Vietnam currently has nearly 1,500 public hospitals, approximately 11,500 health stations, over 300 private hospitals, nearly 70,000 private clinics, and nearly half a million medical practitioners.

The leader stated that one of the innovations of the amended Law on Medical Examination and Treatment is that the National Medical Council will implement a roadmap for inspecting and evaluating the professional capacity of medical practitioners.

Accordingly, starting in 2027, this assessment will apply to the title of doctor. For the titles of medical assistant, nurse, midwife, and medical technician, it will be implemented from 2028. Three new professional titles, including clinical nutrition, pre-hospital emergency medical assistant, and clinical psychologist, will participate in the professional competency assessment from 2029.

Organizing professional competency exams as a basis for granting practice licenses has long been adopted by many countries, including Laos and Cambodia, while Vietnam currently does not have such an system. Our country is also considered one of the three countries with the simplest licensing requirements in Southeast Asia.

Vietnam currently has nearly half a million people practicing medicine. (Illustrative photo: Pham Hai)

Mr. Khue stated that doctors from other countries will be licensed in Vietnam if they meet the requirements. However, within the ASEAN region or other countries, Vietnam's "integration of medical qualifications" is still limited. "ASEAN countries do not issue practice certificates to doctors in Vietnam because our country does not yet have a national examination for international integration ," Mr. Khue said.

Vietnam currently has many medical training systems, with both public and private institutions participating. "Some training facilities are good, but others have limitations. Therefore, a national examination is needed to ensure overall quality, guarantee patient safety, and facilitate international integration," Mr. Khue said.

Another issue that has received many inquiries regarding the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management is the working hours of medical practitioners. The head of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management stated that, according to regulations, doctors are allowed to practice in both public and private sectors, but they cannot work at two locations simultaneously or for one hour. If they work at two distant locations, the travel time between them must be calculated.

For example, a doctor who works during office hours (8 am - 5 pm) and is registered to work at facility A in Hanoi , with a second facility in Hai Phong about a 2-hour drive away (nearly 120 km), cannot register to practice during the 5 pm - 7 pm time slot.

"In fact, many hospitals recently sent us statistical reports revealing that some doctors are working in 2-4 different locations at the same time, and some even work in Ca Mau but falsely claim to be working at a unit under the Ministry of Health. We had to request a review," Mr. Khue shared at the conference.

Urgently complete the ranking of hospital technical expertise.

The Vietnamese healthcare system has long been structured according to administrative levels (central, provincial, district, and commune). In the amended Law on Medical Examination and Treatment and Decree 96, the technical expertise levels of medical facilities are categorized into three levels: initial, basic, and specialized.

"This ranking is based on professional competence, technical support capabilities, practical training capabilities, and scientific research capabilities," said Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan.

Deputy Minister Tran Van Thuan requested the completion of the ranking of technical expertise in hospitals nationwide by 2024. (Photo: Vo Thu)

Mr. Thuan requested that medical facilities and health departments carefully study and promptly implement detailed regulations, creating favorable conditions for businesses to participate in private healthcare activities, and urgently plan the implementation of technical and professional ranking to be completed before January 1, 2025.

According to the assessment of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management, the specialized level may not only include hospitals under the Ministry of Health, but also provincial-level hospitals could be classified at this level.

According to the classification of authority, the Ministry of Health assigns technical and professional levels to hospitals under its direct management; specialized health agencies under the People's Committees of provinces assign technical and professional levels to hospitals within their jurisdiction and private hospitals licensed by the Ministry of Health, excluding hospitals under the direct management of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Public Security.

(Source: Vietnamnet)

Link: https://vietnamnet.vn/bo-y-te-co-bac-si-cung-mot-gio-lam-viec-o-4-noi-2268747.html

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