Orthopedics is a surgical specialty that treats injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and peripheral nerves, using both surgical and non-surgical means. From hip replacement surgery in senior citizens to the treatment of scoliosis in children, the aim of treatment is to restore function and mobility and to improve patient’s quality of life. In 2020, there were an estimated 1100 Orthopedic surgeons in Malaysia, about half of whom served in public sector. This gives a ratio of 3.4 Orthopedic surgeons per 100,000 population, achieving developed nation status. There is still, however, a need for more Orthopedic surgeons to ensure an evenly distributed coverage of services for the entire country. Training in Orthopedics is overseen by the Orthopedic Specialty Committee or OSC (previously known as Conjoint Board of Orthopedics - CBO) whose members are representatives from the universities offering postgraduate Orthopedic training, Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, Academy of Medicine Malaysia (AMM) and the Malaysian Orthopedic Association (MOA).
Full-Time Duration: 8 Semesters, (Clinical)
Programme Structure
Stage 1 (24 Months):
Basic and Applied Medical Sciences
Principles of Surgery
Basic Orthopedic Surgery
Orthopedic Traumatology
Stage 2 (24 Months):
Spine Surgery
Orthopedic Oncology
Pediatric Orthopedics
Upper Limb and Reconstructive Microsurgery
Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine
Arthroplasty
Orthopedic Traumatology
Limb Lengthening and Reconstructive Surgery
Foot and Ankle Surgery
Clinical Clerkship with Emphasis on Emergency Medicine/Acute Medicine
Additional Requirements:
Portfolio Maintenance:
Documenting Tasks Undertaken Throughout the Period of Study
Part 1 Examination:
Required to Proceed to Stage II
Career Prospects
Orthopedic Surgeon, Spine Surgeon, Orthopedic Traumatologist, Pediatric Orthopedic Specialist, Orthopedic Oncologist, Upper Limb and Reconstructive Microsurgeon, Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine Specialist, Arthroplasty Surgeon, Limb Lengthening and Reconstructive Surgeon, Foot and Ankle Surgeon, Clinical Orthopedic Researcher, Orthopedic Program Director, Orthopedic Trauma Consultant, Sports Medicine Orthopedic Specialist, Orthopedic Educator, Orthopedic Quality Improvement Specialist, Orthopedic Clinical Skills Trainer, Orthopedic Clinical Trials Manager, Emergency Medicine Orthopedic Specialist, Orthopedic Rehabilitation Specialist.
Possess a Bachelor’s Degree with a CGPA of not less than 3.00; or
For applicants with a CGPA of 2.50 – 2.99 (must fulfill at least one of the following):
Graduate from University Malaya; or
Accumulate at least one (1) year of work experience in related fields; or
Produce publications in related field; or
Receive a scholarship; or
Serve as a staff member of a government agency; or
Pass an interview conducted by Faculty; or
Pass a Special evaluation by Faculty.
Specific Entry Requirements
General University Requirements: Fulfill the General University Requirements
Bachelor's Degree Qualification: Possessed a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery or an equivalent medical qualification approved by the Senate.
Equivalent Qualification: N/A
Related Fields: N/A.
Special Requirements:
For Malaysian Citizen Applicants: At least six (6) months clinical experience in orthopedic surgery post-full registration as approved by the Senate.
OR
For non-Malaysian citizen Applicants : Candidates who are non-Malaysian citizens will be required to undertake a three (3) months period of clinical attachment in the Department of Surgery Orthopedic Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) prior to acceptance into the programme.
Qualifies for registration as a medical practitioner under the Medical Act 1971 (Act 50) of Malaysia; and
Pass the entrance assessment set by the department;
AND
The non-Malaysian citizen applicant who obtains a degree from a university or institution of higher learning that did not use English as the medium of instruction for the degree, shall be required to meet the specified requirements.
English Requirements
Malaysia University English Test (MUET): Band 4.0; or
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Band 6.0; or
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Paper-Based Test (PBT): Not applicable; or
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Internet-Based Test (IBT) (Centre-Based): Score 60; or
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Computer-Based Test (CBT): Not applicable; or
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Essential Online: Score 8.5; or
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Score 59; or
Cambridge English Qualifications & Tests – Linguaskill Online: Not applicable; or
Cambridge English Qualifications & Tests – B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency: Score 169; or
Cambridge English Qualifications & Tests – B2 Business Vantage, C1 Business Higher: Not applicable; or
Occupational English Test (OET) (Conventional / Online): Not applicable; or
Cambridge English: First (FCE): Not applicable; or
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): Not applicable; or
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): Not applicable