Medical education in Mainland China and Hong Kong reflects distinct approaches shaped by scale, healthcare needs, and global influences. Mainland China's system, the world's largest, follows the "Healthy China 2030" blueprint, standardizing a "5+3+X" model: five-year bachelor's degrees, three-year residency, and variable specialty training (3–8 years total). Problem-based learning and integrated curricula are increasingly adopted, yet regional disparities and diverse pathways challenge uniformity. By 2019, China trained 182,900 clinical graduates annually, with 75% holding bachelor's degrees, supporting 2.8 doctors per 1,000 population.
In contrast, Hong Kong's medical education, concentrated at the University of Hong Kong and Chinese University of Hong Kong, adopts a UK-inspired six-year MBBS program. This includes two years of pre-clinical training (basic sciences) and four years of clinical rotations, emphasizing early patient exposure and problem-based learning. Post-graduation, a one-year internship precedes licensure, with non-local graduates requiring the Hong Kong Medical Licensing Examination. Specialist training, overseen by the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, mirrors UK postgraduate pathways, requiring 6–8 years across 53 specialties. Structured assessments and competency frameworks, akin to the UK's General Medical Council standards, ensure rigorous progression. Hong Kong's selective intake (around 500 students annually) contrasts with Mainland China's mass-scale output, prioritizing quality over quantity.
Comparatively, Mainland China focuses on workforce expansion and standardization, grappling with uneven quality, while Hong Kong's UK-modeled system emphasizes elite training and global compatibility. Collaborative Greater Bay Area initiatives bridge these systems, fostering cross-regional healthcare integration to address diverse population health needs, with Hong Kong serving as a hub for advanced training and Mainland China scaling primary care capacity.
