The system of educating physicians is changing. The annulment of postgraduate practice is one of the elements in these modifications. The physicians who will complete their studies in 2017 will be the last who will take this form of practice. Changes are also being implemented in the system of specialisations.
Medical studies last for six years. Professional practice for physicians starts in the fifth year. Physicians have to pass their most important exams in the fifth year of studies.
LEK replaces LEP
The State Examination for Physicians (LEP) replaced the Final Examination for Physicians (LEK) in 2013. It is organised by the Centre for Medical Examinations (CEM). The results of LEK facilitate qualifications for medical specialisations.
Individuals who want to take the LEK exam have to be graduates of medical studies, intern physicians, or physicians with professional licences. The exam is held from 15 September to 30 September and from 15 February to 28 February.
LEK is composed of 200 test questions. At least 56 percent of the maximum score is necessary to obtain a positive result. If the result is negative, the exam can be repeated at another time.
The end of practices for physicians
Nowadays, the programme of thirteen-months-long practices is implemented under a contract of employment of a limited duration. This practice includes internal medicine, paediatrics, including neonatology, general surgery, including trauma surgery, obstetric care and gynaecology, psychiatry, anaesthesiology, emergency medicine, and family medicine in form of field, ambulatory and home healthcare.
Each year the practice is started on 1 October or 1 March, and ends with a pass awarded from the practice’s coordinator. The intern physician receives a basic monthly remuneration of PLN 2,007.
The last practice will be organised in 2017 - the amendment to the Act on the profession of a medical doctor and a dentist abolishing postgraduate practice for physicians was implemented in 2011.
How to pursue a specialisation
A physician may obtain the title of physician specialising in a particular field after specialisation training and passing the State Specialisation Exam (PES) or if a title awarded abroad is considered as the equivalent.
Physicians pursuing specialisations provide medical services only under the supervision of a specialised physician. Only one specialisation training can be undertaken simultaneously.
The system of specialisation is composed of modules. The basic module includes the universal content for a group of specialties, and selected subjects formerly taught during postgraduate practice (e.g. obligatory training and exams on emergency medicine). The extended module includes only specialised knowledge. The training in this system will start after the Minister of Health prepares and approves the programme of specialisation for a modular system in a given field of medicine.
Specialisation in the course of residency
The Minister of Health takes decisions on the awarding and division of specialisation training in the course of residency in individual provinces, and the provincial mayor takes decisions on other vacancies.
Specialisation training in the course of residency can be undertaken only by a physician who does not have the 1st or the 2nd grade of specialisation or a specialist title.
The training is undergone under a contract of employment concluded with an entity conducting the training. For work performed under such a contract, a physician receives the basic remuneration amount which is stipulated in regulations issued by the Minister of Health.
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