POSTGRADUATE EXAMS BESIDES MASTERS IN SURGERY

''Once more, we walk into battle...''

In Malaysia masters in surgery is the only locally mainstream way to become a surgeon.

But with the ever increasing applicants and rigid number of intake, the competition is tough. People don't really teach much anymore and expects you to learn on your own, and should have learn things even before you join.

There is a likelihood that you will not enter after your 3rd year of service. So, what can you do?

Usually people will stay a surgical MO, keep on applying every year until they get accepted. But I personally would like to suggest these postgraduate programmes first. Fills your time, increase your knowledge and experience, and increases your chances to be accepted into masters in surgery.

1. Membership Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS)
2. Masters in Surgical Sciences (MSc)
3. Masters in Surgical Anatomy (MSc Surg. Anatomy)

These 3 postgraduate programmes also adds a title on top of your MD/MBBS.

With any of these, your admission into masters in surgery is GUARANTEED.

I will explain on them one by one. Just take note that they demonstrate your commitment to surgery. You will pay for them on your own, study on your own, but will reap the benefit during masters in surgery.

There are also other courses you can take at your own effort, mainly:
1. ATLS/MTLS/ACLS/PALS
2. Basic Surgical Sciences
3. Surgical Related Worksops

Of course you can't add them at the end of your MD/MBBS but they will make you a more competent doctor and have a stronger surgical basic knowledge.

Self improvement is very important. Masters in surgery is not a walk in the park. Being able to do hernioplasty without knowing all 15 anatomical structures inside the inguinal canal just means you're no better than a skillful butcher.

I will explain on each item one by one in subsequent posts.

But remember, always improvise our knowledge. The only limit to our knowledge and understanding is our own ego.

posted from Bloggeroid

MASTERS IN SURGERY PROGRAM

As of 2012, from initially 3 universities (UKM, UM, USM) offering this program, now UIA will also be offering this program.

How is the program?

4+ years if you don't fail any exams. Maximum 7 years. 2 main determining exams, first year and final year. If you dont pass the first year exam by the second year, you fail the program. If you don't pass by the 7th year, you fail the program.

Intake ranges from 70 to 100. People coming for the entrance exam and assessment 200 to 300.

How tough is the exam?
Physiology, anatomy, pathology, principles of surgery, principles of postoperarive care, core surgical training, etc.

Enough to make a fully talented mo fail.

How do you overcome masters?
You do not prepare before the exam, you prepare before joining.

How can you prepare before joining? This is why this site is created.

TO WIN THE WAR EVEN BEFORE THE FIRST SHOT IS FIRED.

posted from Bloggeroid

MASTERS INTAKE PROGRAM

"Your future life shall be a series of trials, one after the other, until you attain the glory that is your due at the side of the Emperor. You shall face the hardest first, so that we know we are not wasting our time."
— Chaplain Sighelm of the Celestial Lions

Always know what you're stepping into.

Always know the strength of the enemy, understand its nature, before confronting it.

Then there is a chance for you to beat it.

The recruitment process for masters is held every end of june. It has 2 parts:

1. The first process:
FEDERAL BOND SCHOLARSHIP
(HADIAH LATIHAN PERSEKUTUAN)
-Without this scholarship there is no other way
-You cannot pay it on your own, or take other scholarship, unless you are of foreign nationality and that country sends you to fill the foreign quota
-If you fail the first process you do not proceed, try next year
-This is the part where you are required to get average of 85 from 3 SKTs, and your Head of Department approve your application
-Requirements are minimal, and usually passable and this is relatively the easy part

2. The second process:
THE INTERVIEW BY THE CONJOINT SURGICAL BOARD
-If you pass the first process, somewhere in November you will fill in the UPU form
-Usually you will be called for the interview, and assessment will come in another 2 parts:

2.1 The Entry Exam
-Past Year Masters Part 1 Exam
-MCQ with or without negative marking
-Very difficult, some say even more difficult than the part A MRCS
-If you pass this, very high chance of getting in to the program
-In 2011, only 2 candidates passed, and the following year, only a single candidate passed
-Regardless of which University or which system you are applying, the intake process is via this conjoint board

2.2 The Assessment Interview
-Candidates will be assessed from these major perspectives:

2.2.1 ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
-Obviously not so much of SPM and PMR, but I have heard of a few candidates that have proven themselves to be constant exceptional achievers and have been acxepted due to this under the notion that they will pass the program with less difficulty
-We are talking about other exams like the MRCS, Masters of Surgical Science, etc. (Will be explained in subsequent posts)
-A pass in any external exams gives you a higher chance of getting into the masters program
-There are also other benefit such as exemption from part 1 masters from a certain university (will be explained later)
-Your Degree Transcript also plays a significant role (obviously not impressive if you fail all the time as an undergraduate)

2.2.1 PROOF OF COMPETENCY AND INTEREST
-Will be of great benefit if you have ATLS, MTLS, ACLS, PALS or if you are a trainer in these
-Also assessed will be your credentialing and log books, ensuring you are competent in at least Open Appendicectomy, Orchidopexy, Open Inguinal Hernia Repair, apart from all lumpsnand bumps
-At least 2 years of experience in General Surgery (but if you can demonstrate that you are very competent despite serving in a lesser time period, you still may be accepted)
-Surgical Based Courses, the more grand it is the better
-If you have been stuck in district posting, this may be a minus point for you since district posting does not contribute to any points, but you can still try and gain points from other criteria and thus can still be accepted

2.2.3 RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
-Journals, Case Reports, Posters, Academic Presentations, Participation in Accredited Academic Activities
-This is since you will be doing them once you are in the progam
-Some Universities even exempt you fron doing them once you are in if you have already published them before joining

Apart from that would be your psychological factors: maturity, proficiency, attire, and attitude displayed during the process.

So now you understand the avenues they assess you, you should know at least what to do.

Always decide early and start preparing yourself, taking exams and courses, etc.

This assessment is valid only for ordinary people like you and me. Those with strings to pull or connections up high will usually get accepted regardless of how pathetic they are.

Of course corruption can penetrate even the most professional bodies, and the universities are of no exception.

They once claim that they are transparent and fair, but after seeing somebody who just became a Medical Officer for only 6 months (with no other merit) accepted in the program, I doubt the full validity of the claim.

Plus seeing sons and daughters of certain VIPs getting in much earlier without any merit does contradict that.

If you are such people then you do not need the information from this page. This page is for the ''commoners'' to gain an advantage to be accepted, pass tge masters program and become better, knowledgeable and skillful surgeons.

This path shall not be for those who are corrupt.

posted from Bloggeroid

PRE-REQUISITES

AN OPEN MIND IS LIKE A FORTRESS, WITH ITS GATES UNBARRED AND UNGUARDED...

The Pre-Requisites.

In Malaysia, the only common way to be a Surgeon is via the Masters Program. Unless you are already trained overseas and already a surgeon there (UK countries), the only way is Masters.

Then comes the bottleneck effect, hundreds applicants, less than 100 seats per year

But since you still want to do surgery, these are the absolute demands, things they will tell you when you first want to apply:

1. FINISHED HOUSEMANSHIP
- you can never apply during housemanship since you need 3 SKTs

2. ON-PAPER NEEDS
- 3 SKTs (make sure you fill them up every year without fail) of which the average must be more than 85
- 3 years of service including housemanship
- No disciplinary actions taken against you
- Registered fully with the Malaysian Medical Council
- Your valid identification card, degree, academic transcript, Full Registration, Appointment and Validation Letter by Public Service Committee (Surat Lantikan & Surat Pengesahan dalam Jawatan dari Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Awam)

3. NEWLY IMPOSED STRONGLY RECOMMENDED NEEDS
- 2 years of service in General Surgery

However, I feel that these are the things that I personally recommend you have:
1. Certainty and clarity of mind that you really want to do General Surgery (otherwise I suggest you close this page and go no further)
2. Some degree of financial strength and enthusiasm to spend them on self-improvement
3. Ability to mobilize (relocate) when the need arises
4. Support from family members whom you really care about (especially wife and children)
5. Proficiency in English

Apart from what the government demands of you, I feel that even if you are in your final year of undergraduate now, you can still start your planning now, provided you are certain and willing to commit yourself.

Remember, an early decision benefits you in the race to come, but not too early, as a premature decision will only cause you to turn back after investing so much.

Knowledge is power, Information is victory...

posted from Bloggeroid

INTRODUCTION

HOPE, IS THE FIRST STEP ON THE ROAD TO DISAPPOINTMENT...

The Surgical Path...

In Malaysia, being a Surgeon is not easy, especially when you are a General Surgeon. You may be placed at a District Hospital, or a Large Subspecialized Tertiary Hospital. The calls are usually busy and there may be 2-3 of you only at one time. You may even do calls for few days straight. At times you are required a lot more than what was taught at the Masters level. In short, the duty and responsibility is demanding and overwhelming.

But this is not a page on the glory of a surgeon, this page is meant to guide you on becoming a General Surgeon.

It is 2013.

In many years past, my consultant told me that when he was offered to join Masters in Surgery, he was serving in a district hospital. He said he knew nothing about surgeru except of that taught to him during his undergraduate days. Many among his colleagues was asked to join, but a number refused.

He did not. So he was forged on an anvil of burning steel with a hammer that would break a weaker soul.

But that is a story of an age of past, no longer relevant now. The blacksmith that will pound you to shape have died a long time ago. The age of masters and apprentices have been deemed too archaic and obsolete.

With a surplus of medical officers from various medical schools nowadays, the competition is fierce. The program is demanding, and the training requires that we are already partly trained before entering.

This page is about that.

To equip yourselves with the right armor, gun and blade.

To ensure you do not come in only with a loin-cloth, only to be thrown to the dogs in failure after a few years of torment.

To make sure that you even stand a chance to come in at all, passing the selection gate and surviving the neck-to-neck fight, the bloodbath brawl of recruitment.

To win a war before it even starts...

posted from Bloggeroid