HAMAD MEDICAL CORPORATION
Department of Medical Education
Graduate Medical Education Office (GMEO)
HMC Residency Eligibility, Selection and Matching Process
2015 Intake
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Updated
May 2014
HMC Residency Eligibility, Selection,
Matching Process and Admissions 2014 Intake
1.Who can apply for HMC Residency Training Programs?
1. All Qatari interns
2. HMC interns who will complete their internship before July 1, 2015.
3. Must be graduates of medical schools recognized and registered in the international medical education directory (IMED) who completed their rotating or straight internship less than three years ago (from the internship completion date).
4. Applicants should be licensed in their own country of origin
5. Applicants should meet all of the eligibility criteria and requirements as specified in the application form.
2. What is Straight Internship?
Internship is twelve months of clinical rotations in major specialties either rotating (post graduation) or straight.
We consider the first year of any post graduate training as a straight internship year. We do not consider the last year of Medical School as an internship. Externships and Clinical Attachments are not considered as internships.
3. Could the application be considered if the applicant has graduated over three years ago?
The applicant can apply and we will review the application. We will only consider the application if the applicant’s CV demonstrates special skills, excellent performance and relevant clinical experience in the specialty the applicant is applying for and if they are still actively working as a doctor. (This must be supported with evidence).
Priority is still given to recent medical graduates and those with relevant clinical experience in the advance specialty program they are applying for.
4. How about applicants who have been out of clinical practice?
The Medical Education Department will not accept applications from applicants who do not provide evidence of remedial action through formal supervised training after an interruption/gap in their clinical practice.
However, HMC does not provide remedial action or training for such applicants. HMC will not accept requests for a clinical attachment or elective rotations from such applicants.
5. What are the eligibility criteria and the mandatory admission requirements for HMC Residency Programs?
a) Evidence of passing USMLE Step 2 CK, preferably with USMLE Step 1 or an acceptable alternative exam.
b)Evidence of passing the English Language competency test IELTS (7.0)- academic level or TOEFL IBT (80), CBT (213), PBT (550) - professional level.
6. What are the only acceptable alternative exams?
a) The first accepted alternative exam to USMLE is theInternational Foundation of Medicine (IFOM) Exam. This is the only acceptable alternative to the USMLE exam provided by the National Board of Medical Examiners. Registration is online with NBME.For more details about IFOM Exams, please visit:
For admission to our residency programs, the IFOM pass scores should be equivalent to the USMLE pass scores for that year (these change every year).
b) The second accepted alternative exam to USMLE is the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE) and the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part 1. The applicant should pass both exams before applying for the HMC Residency Program. For more details about MCC Exams, please visit:
7. Can applicants apply early and submit their exam results after the closing date?
The applicant must submit a complete application and attach all the required exam results when applying to the residency program before the closing date (as advertised). Late applications will not be accepted.
8. How does an applicant register for the USMLE or IFOM exams?
Registration for the IFOM Exam can be done online with NBME. The IFOM exam is delivered in two parts - IFOM-CSE and IFOM-BSE.
To learn more about how to register for the IFOM Exams and the available examination centers, please visit:
For admission to our residency programs, IFOM pass scores should be equivalent to USMLE scores for that year (these scores change every year).
b. The registration process for the USMLE exam normally requires an extended period of time, therefore applicants must register at the earliest possible date. Please visit the website - - to learn about the available examination centers at which the USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK exams are delivered.
9. What are the acceptable scores for TOEFL or IELTS Exams ?
TOEFL paper based scores (200-660). A minimum total score of 550 or above is required.
TOEFL IBT (0-120). A minimum total score of 80 or above is required (professional level).
IELTS – A minimum total score of 7.0 or above is required (academic level).
10. Where to get an application form?
Download it from the HMC website:
- Please complete the application form in capital letters in a typed format. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
- Completed application forms should be submitted to Medical Education in person or by courier or registered mail.
- Emailed or faxed applications are not accepted.
- One set of required documents (copies) should accompany the completed application form.
- ORIGINAL documents are NOT REQUIRED at the initial application stage.
- Make sure that all documents (copies) provided are authenticated, true copies of the originals.
- We perform primary source verification (credentialing) for all documents provided by potential residents (Data Flow Company).
- Providing any false documents will be discovered and this may subject the applicant to legal consequences and dismissal from the program.
- Any information provided in your CV should be accompanied with an official document as verification (from hospital officials, chairs, program directors, deans or university officials) and should include your current position, previous rotations or training, internship whether rotating or straight etc.
11. What about the visit visa process?
HMC is only responsible for providing a visit visa to shortlisted applicants invited for a personal interview in Qatar. HMC will not however cover or fund any travelling or leaving expenses for shortlisted applicants invited to the personal interviews.
12. What about the recruitment process at HMC?
Applicants who are matched and have passed their personal interviews will receive an Offer of Employment from HMC Human Resources.
Normally, matched applicants will wait an average period of a few weeks to a few months to receive the Offer of Employment and obtain a work visa for Qatar.
Recruitment formalities usually take an average of 2-3 months to be completed.
All matched and accepted applicants should join their respective programs on or before July 1, 2015.
14. How can I check on the status of my application?
If you are shortlisted for one of the residency programs, the Medical Education Department will inform you via email and you will be invited for a personal interview in Qatar in January 2015.
If you pass the matching personal interview, the Medical Education Department will inform you of the final result and you will receive an Offer of Employment from the HR Recruitment Section at a later date.
15. What are the Residency Programs sponsored by HMC and what is their duration according to the Arab Board of Medical Specialization?
HMC Residency ProgramsAverage # of Posts
- Medicine (4 years)50-55
- General surgery (5 years)10
- Pediatrics (4 years)20-25
- Ob/Gyn (5 years)10-15
- Emergency medicine (4 years)10-12
- Family medicine (4 years)10-15
- Diagnostic radiology (4 years)06-10
- Anesthesia (4 years)06-10
- Otolaryngology (4 years)02-03
- Orthopedic Surgery (5 years)06-08
- Urology (5 years)02-03
- Neurosurgery (6 years)02-03
- Cardiothoracic Surgery (6 years)01-02
- Ophthalmology (4 years)01-02
- Community medicine (4 years)03-04
- Psychiatry (4 years)05-07
- Plastic Surgery (6 years)02-03
16. How many posts are available through the HMC Residency Programs?
Estimated quoted numbers are approximate and the number of available posts for each program will be announced before the matching date each year. Numbers may change from one year to another with little variability.
All Residency Programs will start on July 01 every year.
17. Are there any fellowship programs at HMC?
Yes, HMC sponsors three year fellowship programs in Pediatrics, Medicine, Urology, Geriatrics, Rehabilitation, Trauma, ICU, Anesthesia, ENT and EM. All fellowships are currently only open to HMC graduates after completion of their core residency programs.
18. Please Note:-
Rehabilitation Medicine and Geriatrics Programs
These are fellowship programs. Residents wishing to join these programs as clinical fellows need to have completed a four year residency in Medicine. As a result they should first apply for Internal Medicine.
Cardiology Program
The Cardiology Program is seven years in duration (Four years of medicine plus three years of cardiology). Residents interested in cardiology have to complete four years of internal medicine to be able to apply to join cardiology for an additional three years.
Pediatric Surgery
This will become a fellowship program after the completion of a General Surgery residency.
19. What is ACGME-I accreditation and what are ACGME-I requirements?
For details on ACGME-I (Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education International), please visit their site -
HMC was the first institution in the Middle East to receive the Institutional ACGME-I accreditation. This was granted in July 2012. Seven advanced specialty programs have also been accredited.
Accreditation is not certification (i.e. HMC is not yet offering American Board Certification.That may follow in a few years for some programs after the accreditation process is complete.
Currently, training will result in accreditation by the Arab Board and hopefully in the future a Qatari board and an American board.
20. What is the Matching Process?
This is the first match for all programs.
1) Only completed CVs and applications will be reviewed by the HMC Graduate Medical Education Admission Office (GMEO). Eligible candidates will be short listed based on whether or not they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants who are not shortlisted or do not meet the eligibility criteria will be notified by the GMEO Committee (no appeals).
2) Medical Education will provide Residency Program Directors with ranked shortlisted applications.
3) The matching form of the shortlisted candidates, their CV, and personal statement, internship assessment records (for HMC Interns) and any other supporting documents provided by the candidate will be forwarded to the Program Directors.
4) The applicant’s files will be reviewed by each residency program which may then shortlist the applicant
5) Applicants shortlisted by the Program Directors and the Program Committee will be notified by email and invited for interview.
6) Dates and times of final interviews will be coordinated with the residency programs and will be posted on the Medical Education Bulletin Board. Candidates will be notified by email.
7) The interviews will be conducted by a group of examiners including the Program Directors, Chair/Head, Chief Resident and group of Consultants or Specialists (faculty) for a panel interview.
8) Each program will provide the Graduate Medical Education Office with a final list of matched candidates and a wait list.
9) Following approval by the DIO (Designated Institutional Official), the results of the first match will be announced.
10) After the entire first match has been completed, unfilled posts will be announced. Unmatched candidates may rank any number of programs in the second (residual) match (scramble).
11) Candidates cannot apply for the first chosen program again if they have not been selected. Each candidate can however rank any number of unfilled programs of his/her choice for the second (residual) match. After all posts have been filled, some candidates may be placed on a waiting list.
If somebody withdraws or a post becomes vacant at a later date, those on the waiting list may be contacted to fill those posts based on their ranking on the wait list.
21. What is the letter of intention (personal statement)?
It is a short letter for each specialty being applied to which describes the applicant’s achievements, their reasons for choosing that particular specialty and the reasons they believe themselves to be a good candidate for that program (no more than a half a page). The letter should be attached to an up-to-date CV for the programs of choice.
22. What do interviewers focus on?
Interviewers look primarily at communication skills, reasoning, professional English language competency, understanding of the responsibilities and scope of the specialty of choice and ethics and professionalism.
Applicants should have a strong reason for selecting any residency program as a first choice, should state it clearly in their letter of intention for each program selected and be ready to answer questions on the reasons for their choice.
Matching results will be announced immediately after the interview day so those candidates who were not matched in the first interview may apply and wait for the second match (residual) if program posts are still available.
The selection decision is entirely an official committee decision and is not subject to appeal or explanation to the candidate.
Some programs might demand competency in spoken Arabic such as Family Medicine and Psychiatry.
Applicants are advised:
- To include a well written standard CV with a scanned photo.
- Use the Canadian or American C.V. format (i.e. Date: from… to… rotating, etc)
- CVs completed by hand are not acceptable.
- Every training period mentioned in a CV should be verified by a document from the trainers, program directors, chairperson or hospital official. If this is not provided the training period will not be considered.
- Copies of all courses, workshops, awards, recommendations, conferences, etc should be included with the application.
- Portfolio copies (all original documents and one set of application document copies) should be brought to the interviews.
23. What if a resident was not matched after the second (residual) match?
Usually the number of interviewed candidates exceeds the number of available posts. It is a competitive process. Some candidates may not be matched to a program.
Residents can re-apply the following year if he/she is still eligible and has worked on improving his/her credentials over the year.
24. Can a resident transfer to another program after the match?
Based on GME policies, it is not possible or advisable. A candidate will risk losing their place on the program.
25. What about the resident’s professional English Language competency TOFEL or IELTS?
Residents are supposed to provide evidence of passing one of these tests before the closing date and a copy of the scores should be included with the application.
Competency in the English language is an important factor that will affect the candidate’s chances of being selected. It is advisable to take a TOFEL or IELTS test early in the application process to determine the level of competency and decide if a language improvement course is required.
Please note that the USMLE Step 2 CS component of spoken English does not replace IELTS or TOEFL.
It is advisable for a non-Arabic speaker to take a course in the Arabic language once they have been matched and are waiting to start employment.
26. If a resident is matched to a program, what is the employment process?
The process may take a few weeks to few months to complete however most residents should join the program before the 1st of July each year.
The process includes:
- Labor department approval
- Ministry of Interior CID approval
- Job offer from Human Resources
- Candidate accepts the offer
- Immigration process for working visa
- Medical check-up on arrival for Hepatitis B and C, T.B., HIV and pregnancy
- Pregnant candidates will only be recruited after giving birth
- Signing a contract with HMC and Medical Education after the credentialing of all certificates
Medical Education’s role ends after the selection of residents and the approval of the selected candidate list by HMC’s Managing Director.
All records and files of selected candidates are then forwarded to the department of Human Resources for the recruitment process.
27. What about resident salaries and benefits?
Residents will receive a competitive monthly salary which will include a transportation and housing allowance. This will start the day they officially join the HMC program, with annual increments based on performance evaluation.
Details of salary and benefits will be clearly stipulated in the Offer of Employment and also included in the Residents Terms and Conditions of Employment which will be attached to the contract of employment.
All recruited candidates will receive the same salary and benefits package regardless of gender or nationality.
All residency programs will start on July 01 each year.
Applicants should be available 2-4 weeks before the start of the program to complete all formalities including an orientation and the required medicals.
HMC is committed to equal opportunities, and the reliability, validity, fairness, and transparency of the matching process. Medical Education will observe all interviews and will document all results.
GOOD LUCK