CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME FOR FOREIGN POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL TRAINEES

Faculty of Medicine - University of Kelaniya

 Introduction

Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, is a leading medical school with an international reputation for education and research. In response to the increasing demand for specialized medical expertise globally, the Faculty proposes to launch a Clinical Fellowship Programme tailored specifically for foreign postgraduate medical trainees.

The Clinical Fellowship Programme for foreign postgraduate medical trainees in Sri Lanka offers a unique opportunity for international medical professionals to gain specialised clinical training, enhance their skills and expertise, and engage in cultural exchange and collaboration. Through tailored but structured training programmes, mentorship, and cultural immersion experiences, this programme aims to prepare fellows to excel in their respective specialities and contribute to global healthcare advancement. By fostering international partnerships and collaboration, we aspire to strengthen our position as a medical education and training hub, promoting excellence and innovation in healthcare delivery worldwide.

This programme aims to provide international medical professionals with focused, hands-on training in various specialities.

 Objectives

The primary objectives of the Clinical Fellowship Programme for foreign postgraduate medical trainees are outlined as follows:

1. To provide international medical professionals with specialized clinical training in various medical specialities within the unique healthcare context of Sri Lanka.
2. To enhance the clinical skills, knowledge, and expertise of fellows through hands-on experience, mentorship, and structured learning.
3. To promote cultural exchange and networking among medical professionals from different countries, fostering global healthcare collaboration and understanding.
4. To establish strategic partnerships with international medical institutions and organizations, facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration in medical education and research.
5. To contribute to advancing global healthcare by training highly skilled and culturally competent medical professionals capable of addressing diverse healthcare challenges.

 Process

The Clinical Fellowship Programme for foreign postgraduate medical trainees will follow a structured process:

• International postgraduate medical trainees should be registered as medical doctors with the governing/regulation body of their country of origin.
• The potential candidates may select the following specialities: Disability Studies, Family Medicine, Forensic Medicine, Medicine, Microbiology & Parasitology, Molecular Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Pathology, Public Health, Psychiatry and Surgery.
• They should apply for a clinical fellowship of a minimum of three months to a maximum of one year. They may choose more than one discipline mentioned above, but the minimum duration they should spend in one discipline is three months.
• The applicants will be treated alongside Sri Lankan postgraduate trainees and educated through the usual educational processes in clinical environments, labs or communities. However, the departments will have the liberty to offer additional training opportunities. They will not be included in on-call rosters unless he/she is coupled with a Sri Lankan postgraduate trainee(s).
• The Faculty will facilitate the international postgraduate trainees obtaining temporary registration with the SLMC if necessary.
• Experienced faculty members and clinicians will serve as supervisors/mentors to guide fellows throughout their training, providing clinical supervision, academic support, and cultural orientation.
• Specialities will be identified by the international postgraduate trainees based on the needs and interests of international medical professionals, and the availability of educational opportunities in Sri Lanka.

 Financial Model

The international postgraduate trainees will be charged a tuition fee as follows (TABLE 1):

 Table 1 – Fee structure

• The recruitment to the clinical fellowship programme will be done directly or with the assistance of international recruitment agents. They will be paid 10% of the tuition fee per trainee.
• One-third of the net income will be allocated to the ledger of the department to which the international postgraduate trainee is attached.
• The trainee should bear accommodation and other experiences.