Orthopaedics 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 Orthopaedic surgeons in Malaysia, about half of whom served in public sector. This gives a ratio of 3.4 Orthopaedic surgeons per 100,000 population, achieving developed nation status. There is still, however, a need for more Orthopaedic surgeons to ensure an evenly distributed coverage of services for the entire country.
Training in Orthopaedics is overseen by the Orthopaedic Specialty Committee or OSC (previously known as Conjoint Board of Orthopaedics - CBO) whose members are representatives from the universities offering postgraduate Orthopaedic training, Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, Academy of Medicine Malaysia (AMM) and the Malaysian Orthopaedic Association (MOA).
| PEO 1: Apply up-to-date medical and Orthopaedic knowledge and skills in the delivery of effective and efficient patient-centred care |
| PEO 2: Demonstrate professionalism, ethical conduct, and commitment towards intra- and inter-personal development and lifelong learning |
| PEO 3: Demonstrate leadership in the field of Orthopaedics and to contribute to the improvement of education, training and research |
| PLO 1: Demonstrate comprehensive understanding and the ability to synthesise current medical and Orthopaedic concepts, principles and knowledge, in a safe, effective, and evidence based manner, for optimal patient care and training. [Correspond to MQF Cluster 1: Knowledge and Understanding] [PO1 Knowledge] |
|
PLO 2: Analyse to solve and manage complex problems using current evidence related to patient care that may lead to the creation of new solutions and practices, which satisfies peer reviews and international standards in Orthopaedics. |
| PLO 3: Demonstrate mastery of clinical and surgical skills for the diagnosis and management of specialised Orthopaedic conditions, personalised to the patient. [Correspond to MQF Cluster 3: Functional Work Skills – Practical Skills] [PO2 Practical Skills] [PO6 Problem Solving and Scientific Skills] |
| PLO 4: Communicate effectively, ethically and professionally towards patients and their families, whilst conveying insights and solutions to, peers, the scholarly community and society at large in the field of Orthopaedics. [Correspond to MQF Cluster 3: Functional Work Skills – Interpersonal and Communication Skills] [PO3 Social Skills and Responsibility] [PO5 Communication, Leadership and Team Skills] |
| PLO 5: Apply current concepts in Orthopaedic technologies and integrate medical informatics efficiently to engage in evidence-based practice and research. [Correspond to MQF Cluster 3: Functional Work Skills - Digital and Numeracy Skills] [PO7 Information Management & Lifelong Learning Skills] |
| PLO 6: Practice leadership, advocacy and teamwork in decision-making, supervision, training, research and administrative management, including quality improvement in the workplace, to contribute to the Orthopaedic fraternity and the society at large. [Correspond to MQF Cluster 3: Functional Work Skills – Leadership, Autonomy and Responsibility] [PO5 Communication, Leadership and Team Skills] |
| PLO 7: Establish capability for personal advancement and lifelong learning through continuous academic, Orthopaedic and professional development and, at the same time, incorporating entrepreneurial perspective. [Correspond to MQF Cluster 4 - Personal and Entrepreneurial Skills] [PO7 Information Management & Lifelong Learning Skills] |
| PLO 8: Develop professional values, attitudes and ethical conduct to expected standards and beyond in Orthopaedic practice and research. [Correspond to MQF Cluster 5: Ethics and Professionalism] [PO4 Values, Attitudes and Professionalism] |
Pathways to training in Orthopaedics:
The National Orthopaedic Curriculum (NOC) utilises a single training programme via two pathways: Ministry of Higher Education-University and the Parallel Pathway. This is to ensure standardisation in training from entry to exit for both options. It culminates in the OSC Exit Examination or a proposed Joint Surgical Fellowship Examination respectively to qualify as an Orthopaedic Surgeon.
Both pathways have separate entry requirements but both use the Malaysian curriculum in terms of syllabus, learning opportunities, assessments and documentation to ensure standardisation in training. Applicants need to decide which pathway they intend to enrol on and ensure that they fulfil the requirements of that particular pathway. University Malaya adheres to NOC training and follows pathway 1.
Source: Orthopaedic Surgery Postgraduate Training in Malaysia : TRAINING CURRICULUM. VERSION 1, 2021. eISBN 978-967-19566-3-2
| 1. | Spine Surgery Head: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chiu Chee Kidd Prof. Dato’ Dr. Kwan Mun Keong Prof. Dr. Chris Chan Yin Wei Dr. Chung Weng Hong |
| 2. | Orthopaedic Oncology Head: Prof. Dr. Vivek Ajit Singh Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azura Binti Mansor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nor Faissal Bin Yasin Dr. Ling Xiu Wen |
| 3. | Pediatric Orthopaedics / Limb Lengthening and Reconstructive Surgery Head: Prof. Dr. Saw Aik Dr. Mohammed Ziyad Abduljabbar Albaker Dr. Devarani Pancharatnam Dr. Muhammad Lutfi Bin Abdul Rashid |
| 4. | Arthroplasty Head: Prof. Dr. Azlina Amir Abbas Dr. Khairul Anwar Bin Ayob Dr. Veenesh Selvaratnam |
| 5. | Upper Limb and Reconstructive Microsurgery Head: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jayaletchumi A/P Gunasagaran Dr. Sachin Shivdas Dr. Shams Amir Shamsul Bahar Dr. Khoo Saw Sian |
| 6. | Arthroscopy Sports Head: Assoc. Prof. Teo Seow Hui Dr. Mohamed Zubair Mohamed Al-Fayyadh Dr. Sugesh Raghavan |
| 7. | Orthopaedic Traumatology Head: Dr. C S Kumar Dr. Simmrat Singh Dr. Yohan Khirusman Dr. Mohd Rusdi Bin Draman @ Yusof |
| 8. | Foot and Ankle Head: Dr. Nik Aizah Nabilla Bt Faheem Dr. Amber Haseeb |
Orthopaedics is an internationally focused specialty and the programme is taught in English. Therefore, for reasons of both patient safety and career progression, all candidates are strongly advised to improve their English language proficiency throughout their training to reach at least MUET band 7 or IELTS band 8.
A non-Malaysian applicant whose degree is from a university or institution of higher learning where the medium of instruction for that degree is not the English language shall be required:
-
Last Update: 15/06/2023