title: Family medicine training in Hong Kong: similarities and differences between family and non-family doctors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the local medical profession's opinions on the training requirements for the specialty of family medicine. This was to serve as a reference for future planning of the health care system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  All registered doctors in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  Doctors' ratings on the importance of vocational training, professional assessment, job nature, and experience to become suitably qualified as a family doctor, and their opinions on the length of necessary vocational training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 2310 doctors (23% of doctors in the local register) responded. Professional assessment was mostly agreed as a qualification, followed by vocational training, clinical experience, and job nature. Over 70% agreed on a training period of 4 years or less. Non-family doctors were more likely to opt for professional assessment as the qualification and also opt for a longer training period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vocational training was considered important as a qualification for the specialty of family medicine. The length of training was mostly agreed to be 4 years or less, not the 6 years currently required by the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. The vocational training programme for family medicine might require re-examination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Y T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Wun
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: D K T
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Yip
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans