In healthcare, clinical training is an essential path for obtaining professional qualifications. Being the hub for treating complex and uncommon cases with many experts under one roof, the Hong Kong Children's Hospital is a recognized training centre of different clinical specialties and nursing courses, not just limited to Paediatrics. For certain qualifications, receiving training in HKCH is mandatory. At HKCH, healthcare professionals get hands-on exposure to unique and diverse cases during their training, which helps develop their competence.

For doctors, specialist trainees are required to rotate among various public hospitals for comprehensive training. When trainees come to HKCH, they can participate in patients' diagnosis and treatment under the guidance of experienced doctors, and learn about communicating with child patients and families.

For example, as most complex paediatric surgeries (e.g. oncological, hepatobiliary, neonatal, cleft surgeries) are now centralized in HKCH, all specialist trainees for Paediatric Surgery must spend two out of four years of their higher training at HKCH, after completing their basic training.

Cardiothoracic Surgery trainees are also required to rotate to HKCH during their five-year higher training, to ensure they are well versed in operating on children with complicated cardiothoracic problems.

Besides, radiologist trainees pursuing Paediatric Radiology as a sub-specialty have to undergo training in HKCH. As for Anaesthesiology, most trainees would be trained at HKCH to accumulate sufficient paediatric anaesthesia experience that is required for becoming a specialist. These trainees could expose to complex cases rarely seen in other hospitals.

The only training site for paediatric oncology nurses

To foster nurses' professional development, the HA Institute of Advanced Nursing Studies runs Post-registration Certificate Courses (PRCC) for various specialties. PRCC is one of the requirements to become a HA specialty nurse.

HKCH is the only training centre for PRCC in Paediatric Oncology Nursing, and one of the clinical practicum sites for six other courses, namely Peri-operative Nursing, Anaesthetic & Recovery Nursing, Cardiothoracic Surgical Nursing, Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing, Paediatric Intensive Care Nursing, and Renal Nursing.

▲ A participant of PRCC in Paediatric Oncology Nursing simulates accessing an implanted port under the guidance of a nursing specialty mentor.

Connect the world to promote exchange

HKCH's unique position as the tertiary referral centre of paediatric cases attracts Mainland and overseas healthcare professionals to come for training and exchange. HKCH has joined the Macao Specialist Trainee Programme launched by the HA and Macao Health Bureau. Macao Trainees can gain practical experience in various paediatric sub-specialties while in HKCH.

Under HA's Global Healthcare Talent Scheme, some doctors from Malaysia and Shanghai are currently in HKCH to participate in clinical work and exchange experience with local staff. Some non-local doctors would also come for short-term clinical attachment. This has been arranged for doctors from Thailand, Mainland and Macao so far.

▲ A Malaysian anesthesiologist (right) gets to handle complex paediatric anaesthesia in surgeries, and exchange experience with counterparts in HKCH. One-year overseas training is required for him to further pursue Paediatric Anaesthesia sub-specialty.