Doctors must take a national exam

On March 2, the National Medical Council announced information about organizing the assessment of professional competence in medical examination and treatment in accordance with the 2023 Law on Medical Examination and Treatment.

According to Professor Nguyen Viet Tien, Standing Vice Chair of the National Medical Council, the competence assessment is a mandatory requirement under the law, detailed in Decree 96/2023/ND-CP. An examination to grant a practice certificate must ensure four main objectives: 1/Protect patient safety 2/Establish a unified national competency standard 3/Facilitate professional practice and postgraduate training and 4/Increase compatibility with international standards.

This activity is not intended to create additional barriers but serves as a tool to standardize professional practice quality, protect patient rights and improve the reputation of the healthcare workforce. It is also a necessary step toward standardizing medical human resources according to common standards, in line with international integration.

The exam is expected to be organized in six regions across the country to make it convenient for candidates. In 2027, the first exam is expected to take place in December to ensure the rights of graduates. From 2028 onward, two sessions will be held each year (expected in October and March), so candidates do not have to wait too long if they do not pass.

Multiple centers to organize the exam

According to the roadmap, in 2027 the National Medical Council will conduct assessments for the title of doctor (including medical doctors, odontostomatologists, traditional medicine doctors, and preventive medicine doctors). From 2028, the council will expand the assessment to medical assistants, nurses and midwives; from 2029 it will apply to positions such as medical technicians, clinical nutritionists, paramedics and clinical psychologists.

Tien said the implementation will be carried out according to a suitable, transitional roadmap, ensuring no disruption for practitioners and training institutions.

Those doctors who do not pass can register to retake the exam; in cases of failing many times, they will have to consider a career change. The test also contributes to reflecting the training quality of medical institutions.

Participants must have a degree in one of the four aforementioned majors and complete the practicing time as prescribed by the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment. 

Regarding the format, the test is designed in the form of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), performed on computers. 

In response to concerns that around 10,000 doctors graduate each year and whether organizing the exam would create significant pressure, Professor Nguyen Huu Tu, Rector of Hanoi Medical University, member of the National Medical Council and head of the exam organizing committee, said this is feasible if multiple qualified centers participate.

“Units organizing the exam must meet criteria on infrastructure, technology and safety before being recognized as test centers,” he emphasized.

Ha Anh Duc, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health) and Vice Chair of the National Medical Council, also said that 10,000 candidates per year is not a large number compared with many competency exams that involve hundreds of thousands of participants today.

The key is to ensure safety, accuracy and objectivity in every stage of the process. The exam will apply technology, strict supervision and appropriate organizational plans to ensure efficiency while accurately assessing real competence.

Candidates participating in the professional competence assessment for medical examination and treatment must pay the assessment fee.

Positive pressure on training institutions

Currently, Vietnam has 34 higher education institutions (18 public and 16 private) that provide medical training. Tien said the annual competence assessment for doctors will create pressure on training institutions regarding the quality of graduates. However, this is a very positive form of pressure.

After each assessment, if a school has a high proportion of doctors who fail, the institution will need to review its curriculum and training quality. Conversely, schools with high pass rates will strengthen their reputation.

“We must put patient safety first. If the minimum competency requirement is not met, they cannot be allowed to practice. If a doctor fails the exam multiple times, it is clear they must change their profession,” Tien affirmed.

Standardizing output through competence assessments is expected to help improve the quality of doctors and maintain public trust in the healthcare system.

Phuong Thuy