From 2024: What are ways for medical practitioners in Vietnam to continuously update medical knowledge?

From 2024: What are ways for medical practitioners in Vietnam to continuously update medical knowledge?

Pursuant to Article 22 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment in 2023 (effective from 01/01/2024) stipulating ways for medical practitioners in Vietnam to continuously update medical knowledge as follows:

Continuously updating medical knowledge

1. Any medical practitioner holding one of the titles as a doctor, physician assistant, nurse, midwife, medical technician, clinical nutritionist, out-of-hospital paramedic or clinical psychologist shall be responsible for keeping themselves continuously updated with the latest medical knowledge relevant to the scope of their practice of medicine.

2. Ways to continuously update medical knowledge, including:

a) Participating in short-term training courses, conferences and workshops on medicine designed to be relevant to the scope of practice of medicine;

b) Getting involved in designing professional curricula, syllabi and materials relating to healthcare;

c) Conducting scientific and academic researches in medicine relevant to the scope of practice of medicine;

d) Self-education and others.

3. Medical establishments shall be responsible for encouraging medical practitioners to continuously acquire updated medical knowledge.

4. The Minister of Health shall elaborate on this Article.

As regulations above, any medical practitioner holding one of the titles as a doctor, physician assistant, nurse, midwife, medical technician, clinical nutritionist, out-of-hospital paramedic or clinical psychologist shall be responsible for keeping themselves continuously updated with the latest medical knowledge relevant to the scope of their practice of medicine.

They may update their medical knowledge by:

+) Participating in short-term training courses, conferences and workshops on medicine designed to be relevant to the scope of practice of medicine;

+) Getting involved in designing professional curricula, syllabi and materials relating to healthcare;

+) Conducting scientific and academic researches in medicine relevant to the scope of practice of medicine;

+) Self-education and others.

In Vietnam: What is the time limit for renewal of medical practising licenses where it is necessary to verify whether the applicant participates in medical knowledge updating programs run by a qualified foreign entity or organization?

Pursuant to Article 32 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment in 2023 (effective from 01/01/2024) stipulating as follows:

Renewal of practising licenses

1. A practising license may be renewed if the practising license expires.

2. Conditions for renewal of practising licenses applied to those holding the professional titles as doctors, physician assistants, nurses, midwives, medical technicians, clinical nutritionists, out-of-hospital paramedics, clinical psychologists or herbalists shall be as follows:

a) Satisfy the requirements for continuously updating medical knowledge set out in Article 22 herein;

b) Have good health to practice medicine;

c) Be obliged to complete renewal procedures at least 60 days before the practising license expires, unless otherwise required under the Government's regulations;

d) Any of the cases prescribed in Article 20 herein does not occur.

3. Conditions for renewal of practising licenses applied to those holding the professional titles as holders of folk remedies or therapies shall comprise the conditions set out in point b, c and d of clause 2 of this Article.

4. The application package for renewal of a practising license shall be composed of the documentary evidence of conformance to the conditions specified in clause 2 or 3 of this Article.

5. Procedures for renewal of a practising license shall be regulated hereunder:

a) The applicant submits the application package defined in clause 4 of this Article to the competent licensing agency;

b) During the period from the date of receipt of all required application documents to the expiry date printed on a practising license, the competent licensing agency shall be responsible for renewing it or replying in writing to the license holder with clear reasons for rejection of renewal; where there is no written reply till the expiry date printed on the foregoing practising license, it shall be renewed as per clause 2 of Article 27 herein;

c) Where it is necessary to verify whether the applicant participates in medical knowledge updating programs run by a qualified foreign entity or organization, the duration of decision to renew the practising license shall be 15 days from the day on which verification results are available.

6. The Government shall elaborate on this Article.

As regulations above, where it is necessary to verify whether the applicant participates in medical knowledge updating programs run by a qualified foreign entity or organization, the duration of decision to renew the practising license shall be 15 days from the day on which verification results are available.

When shall healthcare socio-professional organizations have to supervise the practice of medicine, and continuously updating medical knowledge in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 6 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment in 2023 (effective from 01/01/2024) stipulating supervision of the practice of medicine, and continuously updating medical knowledge in Vietnam as follows:

Healthcare socio-professional organizations

Healthcare socio-professional organizations set up and run in accordance with laws on organizations and associations shall assume the following responsibilities:

1. Protect legal rights and interests of their members in accordance with laws;

2. Take part in the process of formulation of policies and laws on medical examination and treatment;

3. Engage with expert or professional councils or panels; get involved in designing academic curricula, syllabi, professional and technical documents; in giving proficiency tests designed to assess examinees' competency in the practice of medicine; in supervising the practice of medicine, and continuously updating medical knowledge at the request of competent entities or organizations;

4. Disseminate professional knowledge, regulatory policies and laws on medical examination and treatment to members, and provide them with training courses on these matters in accordance with law;

5. Carry out healthcare research programs and projects; provide counsels on and participate in the social supervision and review process towards healthcare in accordance with law;

6. Take part in formulation and implementation of the code of professional ethics; influence members, entities and persons engaged in medical examination and treatment activities to comply with laws;

7. Mobilize social resources needed for healthcare services to be rendered in accordance with laws;

8. Petition competent State agencies to punish offences against law on medical examination and treatment.

As regulations above, healthcare socio-professional organizations have to supervise the practice of medicine, and continuously updating medical knowledge in Vietnam at the request of competent entities or organizations.

Best regards!