The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (Academy) was established in 1993 under the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 419) to address the need for postgraduate medical and dental education and training in Hong Kong with objectives clearly set out. It is an independent institution with statutory power to organise, monitor, assess and accredit all medical and dental specialist training, and the responsibility to oversee the continuing medical education and continuous professional development to maintain the standard of specialists practising locally.

Safeguarding Standards of Specialist Training

The Education Committee is established under the Academy Council according to the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Regulation (Cap. 419B), with the following functions: 

  1. To co-ordinate and monitor the programmes of postgraduate education and training and continuing medical education of Academy Colleges to ensure that they are of the standard set by the Academy; 
  2. To ensure the proper organisation and conduct of examinations; and 
  3. To advise the Council on education and training policy of the Academy, and on any other matters concerning postgraduate education and training and continuing medical education. 

Academy Colleges are required to provide at least 6 years of supervised specialist training, during which an intermediate examination and a final examination or exit assessment organised individually by the respective College or jointly with an established overseas specialist college should be arranged for the specialist trainees. Academy Colleges are required to regularly review the training curriculum in response to advancement in medicine and changes in workforce demographic, with engagement of external reviewers wherever applicable. 

As stipulated in the Medical Registration Ordinance (Cap. 161), the Academy has the statutory power in setting guidelines and accrediting continuing medical education, as well as recommending medical and dental practitioners who fulfil the continuing medical education and continuous professional development (CME / CPD) requirements to the Medical Council of Hong Kong and the Dental Council of Hong Kong for inclusion in the Specialist Registers. 

The Academy therefore strives to promote CME / CPD with the first mandatory CME cycle commenced in 1996. All Fellows of the Academy must fulfil CME / CPD requirements to maintain their Fellowship. As per the CME / CPD Principles and Guidelines, Academy Fellows are required to obtain 90 points in a 3-year cycle. Failure to do so will result in removal of the Academy Fellowship. It is a continuous life-long learning process for Academy Fellows to maintain, develop or increase the knowledge, skills and competencies relevant to their respective specialties, as well as to remain competent throughout their professional careers. 

CME Programme implemented by the Medical Council

The voluntary "CME Programme for Practising Doctors who are not taking CME Programme for Specialists" (the Programme) has been implemented by the Medical Council since 1 October 2001. The purpose of the Programme is to encourage practising doctors to keep themselves up-to-date on current developments in medical practice so as to maintain a high professional standard. Medical practitioners whose names are not included in the Specialist Register can participate in the Programme. Participants who have accumulated 30 or more CME points in a year within the 3-year CME cycle will be awarded a CME certificate to certify that they have achieved a satisfactory level of CME activity during that particular period. The CME certificate can be displayed inside the medical practitioner's clinic. For those who have acquired 90 or more CME points in a CME cycle, they will be given approval to use the title "CME-Certified" on their visiting cards during the immediately following CME cycle.

Some general information about the Programme can be found below. 

The Academy is one of the CME Programme Administrators, Providers and Accreditors. From 2019 onward, the administration of CME records has been delegated to the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians, one of the 15 constituent Colleges. Please contact the College Secretariat for details of registration.

The CME activities listed below are either organised or accredited by the Academy / Colleges.

The Academy strives to safeguard public health by upholding high-quality postgraduate education and training of medical and dental specialists who are bound by the Hippocratic Oath, keeping abreast of the latest developments, promoting best clinical practice in response to advancements in medicine, and fostering knowledge exchange through collaborative partnerships locally and internationally.