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2014 Health Manpower Survey

Summary of the Characteristics of Healthcare Personnel Enumerated

I. Type of Healthcare Personnel Covered

1.1  The 2014 HMS covered 16 types of healthcare personnel, majority of whom are not subject to statutory registration but, together with other registered healthcare personnel, making up the health services functional constituency under section 20I of the Legislative Council Ordinance (Cap. 542). The list of healthcare personnel covered in this survey was as follows -

  • Audiologist
  • Audiology Technician
  • Chiropodist / Podiatrist
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Dental Hygienist
  • Dental Surgery Assistant
  • Dental Technician / Technologist
  • Dental Therapist
  • Dietitian
  • Dispenser
  • Educational Psychologist
  • Mould Laboratory Technician
  • Orthoptist
  • Prosthetist / Orthotist
  • Scientific Officer (Medical)
  • Speech Therapist

1.2  As it was impossible to obtain the name list of these 16 types of healthcare personnel practising in Hong Kong, the unit of enumeration was confined to employment institution.

1.3  Similar to the 2009 HMS, the list of institutions in which healthcare personnel were likely to be employed was built up by combining information from various sources, elimining duplicates and correcting irregularities. The information sources used for building up the survey frame for the 2014 HMS included:

(i)   Office for Registration of Healthcare Institutions, Department of Health

- lists of private hospitals, nursing homes, medical clinics and exempted clinics

(ii)   Drug Office, Department of Health

- lists of licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers and authorised sellers of poisons

(iii)   Research and Statistics Section, Social Welfare Department (SWD)

- list of welfare institutions subvented by SWD and with healthcare personnel

- list of private elderly homes with healthcare personnel

(iv)   Professional Development & Special Education Branch, Education Bureau (EDB)

- list of special schools subvented by EDB and with healthcare personnel

(v)   Webpage of Education Bureau

lists of private school / secondary school, direct subsidy primary / secondary school / post-secondary education institutions / international school

(vi)   Employment Statistics and Central Register of Establishments Section, Census and Statistics Department (C&SD)

- list of establishments (registered with the Business Registration Office) in relevant industries ( Appendix I )

1.4  The survey frame established from the above sources was then supplemented by cross-checking with that of the 2009 HMS and refined through removal of obvious duplicates and irrelevant records after telephone confirmation.

1.5  Based on the survey frame established from different sources, questionnaires were sent to 16 650 addresses.

II.    Results of Enumeration by Type of Institutions

2.1  A total of 3 755 questionnaires were invalid because the institutions had moved or ceased business, the questionnaires were duplicate or the addresses were residential addresses.

2.2  The remaining number of institutions i.e. 12 895 were covered in the 2014 HMS. If the institution’s headquarters could provide the information for its branches / sub-offices, the headquarters needed only to fill in one questionnaire for the institution. As the counting rule of institutions covered in the 2014 HMS is different from those surveys before 2005, the figures on institutions covered in the 2014 HMS should not be compared to those surveys before 2005.

2.3  These 12 895 institutions were classified as below:

2.4  Of the 12 895 institutions covered, 12 272 had responded to the survey, giving an overall response rate of 95.2% as shown below:

Chart A : Response Rate of Institutions

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Chart title: Chart A : Response Rate of Institutions

2.5  Apart from the 804 institutions which were identified to have headquarters, among the remaining 11 468 responding institutions, 2 573 (22.4%) were found to have employed healthcare personnel (in which 80.1% were found to have employed healthcare personnel directly and 19.9% were found to have employed healthcare personnel indirectly), while 8 895 (77.6%) had not employed any healthcare personnel at all.

III.    Characteristics of Healthcare Personnel  Enumerated

3.1    Audiologists

3.1.1 Audiologists refer to the healthcare personnel who hold a Master of Science degree in Audiology from a Hong Kong university, or equivalent.

3.1.2 A total of 93 audiologists (86 full-time and seven part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 ( Table A ).

3.1.3 Among the 93 audiologists enumerated, 39 (41.9%) were male and 54 (58.1%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 72 ( Table B ).

3.1.4 Of the 93 audiologists enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 57 (61.3%) were employed by the private sector, 24 (25.8%) by the Hospital Authority, seven (7.5%) by the Government and five (5.4%) by the subvented sector ( Table B ).

3.2    Audiology Technicians

3.2.1 Audiology Technicians refer to the healthcare personnel who hold the Certificate of Audiology Technicians’ Training Course and the Certificate of qualifying examinations issued by a recognised institute, or equivalent.

3.2.2 A total of 31 audiology technicians (27 full-time and four part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 ( Table A ).

3.2.3 Among the 31 audiology technicians enumerated, 25 (80.6%) were male and six (19.4%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 417 ( Table B ).

3.2.4 Of the 31 audiology technicians enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 23 (74.2%) were employed by the private sector, six (19.4%) by the Hospital Authority, two (6.5%) by the subvented sector ( Table B ).

3.3    Chiropodists / Podiatrists

3.3.1 Chiropodists / Podiatrists refer to the healthcare personnel who hold a degree in Podiatry, Podiatric Medicine or Podiatric Studies or equivalent, and is eligible for professional registration of Podiatrist (or equivalent) in the country where the qualification was conferred.

3.3.2 A total of 63 chiropodists / podiatrists (46 full-time and 17 part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 ( Table A ).

3.3.3 Among the 63 chiropodists / podiatrists enumerated, 25 (39.7%) were male and 38 (60.3%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 66 ( Table B ).

3.3.4 Of the 63 chiropodists / podiatrists enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 36 (57.1%) were employed by the Hospital Authority, 25 (39.7%) by the private sector and two (3.2%) by the subvented sector ( Table B ).

3.4    Clinical Psychologists

3.4.1 Clinical Psychologists refer to the healthcare personnel who hold a Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from a Hong Kong university, or equivalent.

3.4.2 A total of 515 clinical psychologists (421 full-time and 94 part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 (Table A ).

3.4.3 Among the 515 clinical psychologists enumerated, 103 (20.0%) were male and 412 (80.0%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 25 (Table B ).

3.4.4 Of the 515 clinical psychologists enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 184 (35.7%) were employed by the private sector, 142 (27.6%) by the Hospital Authority, 124 (24.1%) by the Government, 46 (8.9%) by the subvented sector and 19 (3.7%) by the academic sector (Table B ).

3.5    Dental Hygienists

3.5.1 Dental Hygienists refer to the healthcare personnel who enrolled with the Dental Council of Hong Kong under the Ancillary Dental Workers (Dental Hygienists) Regulations (Cap. 156).

3.5.2 A total of 332 dental hygienists (242 full-time and 90 part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 (Table A ).

3.5.3 Among the 332 dental hygienists enumerated, ten (3.0%) were male and 322 (97.0%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 3 (Table B ).

3.5.4 Of the 332 dental hygienists enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 305 (91.9%) were employed by the private sector, 18 (5.4%) by the academic sector and nine (2.7%) by the Government (Table B ).

3.6    Dental Surgery Assistants

3.6.1 Dental Surgery Assistants refer to the healthcare personnel who assisted dentists in the treatment of patients.

3.6.2 A total of 3 727 dental surgery assistants (3 274 full-time and 453 part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 ( Table A ).

3.6.3 Among the 3 727 dental surgery assistants enumerated, 113 (3.0%) were male and 3 614 (97.0%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 3 ( Table B ).

3.6.4 Of the 3 727 dental surgery assistants enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 3 220 (86.4%) were employed by the private sector, 309 (8.3%) by the Government and 142 (3.8%) by the academic sector ( Table B ).

3.7    Dental Technicians /Technologists

3.7.1 Dental Technicians / Technologists refer to the healthcare personnel who hold a Diploma in Dental Technology issued by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University or the Prince Philip Dental Hospital or equivalent qualification, or has at least 4 years’ experience as a dental mechanic apprentice.

3.7.2 A total of 354 dental technicians / technologists (337 full-time and 17 part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 ( Table A ).

3.7.3 Among the 354 dental technicians / technologists enumerated, 230 (65.0%) were male and 124 (35.0%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 185 ( Table B ).

3.7.4 Of the 354 dental technicians / technologists enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 274 (77.4%) were employed by the private sector, 47 (13.3%) by the Government and 30 (8.5%) by the academic sector ( Table B ).

3.8    Dental Therapists

3.8.1  Dental Therapists refer to the healthcare personnel who have completed the requisite period of training and passed the Dental Therapist Certificate Examination, or equivalent.

3.8.2 A total of 284 dental therapists (284 full-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 ( Table A ).

3.8.3 Among the 284 dental therapists enumerated, 35 (12.3%) were male and 249 (87.7%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 14 ( Table B ).

3.8.4 Of the 284 dental therapists enumerated as at 31.3.2014, all of them were employed by the Government ( Table B ).

3.9    Dietitians

3.9.1 Dietitians refer to the healthcare personnel who held a Bachelor of Science Degree or a post-graduate diploma or Master’s Degree in Dietetics inclusive of an internship, or equivalent.

3.9.2 A total of 387 dietitians (294 full-time and 93 part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 ( Table A ).

3.9.3 Among the 387 dietitians enumerated, 62 (16.0%) were male and 325 (84.0%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 19 ( Table B ).

3.9.4 Of the 387 dietitians enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 209 (54.0%) were employed by the private sector, 135 (34.9%) by the Hospital Authority, 23 (5.9%) by subvented sector and 17 (4.4%) by the Government ( Table B ).

3.10    Dispensers

3.10.1 Dispensers refer to the healthcare personnel who held (a) a Certificate of Competency from the former Medical and Health Department, a Certificate in Dispensing Studies from the Vocational Training Council or equivalent and (i) in either case has completed a 3-year on-the-job training organised by the former Medical and Health Department, the Department of Health, the Hospital Authority, or (ii) 3 years’ on-the-job training in dispensing in recognised institutions 1 year of which should be post-certificate, or (b) obtained the Higher Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology awarded by the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (formally Hong Kong Technical College (Chai Wan), Vocational Training Council), or (c) who has obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy from a university or equivalent institution.

3.10.2 A total of 2 201 dispensers (2 124 full-time and 77 part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 ( Table A ).

3.10.3 Among the 2 201 dispensers enumerated, 896 (40.7%) were male and 1 305 (59.3%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 69 ( Table B ).

3.10.4 Of the 2 201 dispensers enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 1 130 (51.3%) were employed by the Hospital Authority, 921 (41.8%) by the private sector and 84 (3.8%) by the subvented sector ( Table B ).

3.11    Educational Psychologists

3.11.1 Educational Psychologists refer to the healthcare personnel who held a Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Educational or School Psychology (Professional Practice) and a Bachelor Degree in Psychology, or equivalent.

3.11.2 A total of 246 educational psychologists (176 full-time and 70 part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 ( Table A ).

3.11.3 Among the 246 educational psychologists enumerated, 67 (27.2%) were male and 179 (72.8%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 37 ( Table B ).

3.11.4 Of the 246 educational psychologists enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 70 (28.5%) were employed by the academic sector, 66 (26.8%) by the private sector and 63 (25.6%) by the subvented sector ( Table B ).

3.12    Mould Laboratory Technicians

3.12.1 Mould Laboratory Technicians refer to the healthcare personnel who has completed a 3-year training and passed the Mould Laboratory Technicians Examination.

3.12.2 A total of 46 mould laboratory technicians (43 full-time and three part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 ( Table A ).

3.12.3 Among the 46 mould laboratory technicians enumerated, 31 (67.4%) were male and 15 (32.6%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 207 ( Table B ).

3.12.4 Of the 46 mould laboratory technicians enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 26 (56.5%) were employed by the Hospital Authority, and the remaining 20 (43.5%) were employed by the private sector ( Table B ).

3.13    Orthoptists

3.13.1 Orthoptists refer to the healthcare personnel who held a diploma or degree in orthoptics, or equivalent and is eligible for registration with the UK Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine or Orthoptic Board of Australia, or equivalent.

3.13.2 A total of 59 orthoptists (47 full-time and 12 part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 ( Table A ).

3.13.3 Among the 59 orthoptists enumerated, 38 (64.4%) were male and 21 (35.6%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 181 ( Table B ).

3.13.4 Of the 59 orthoptists enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 42 (71.2%) were employed by the private sector, 15 (25.4%) by the Hospital Authority and two (3.4%) by the Government ( Table B ).

3.14  Prosthetists / Orthotists

3.14.1 Prosthetists / Orthotists refer to the healthcare personnel who held a degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics from a Hong Kong university, or equivalent.

3.14.2 A total of 165 prosthetists / orthotists (157 full-time and eight part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 ( Table A ).

3.14.3 Among the 165 prosthetists / orthotists enumerated, 124 (75.2%) were male and 41 (24.8%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 302 ( Table B ).

3.14.4 Of the 165 prosthetists / orthotists enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 126 (76.4%) were employed by the Hospital Authority, 36 (21.8%) by the private sector, two (1.2%) by the academic sector and one (0.6%) by the subvented sector ( Table B ).

3.15  Scientific Officers (Medical)

3.15.1 Scientific Officers (Medical) refer to the healthcare personnel who have relevant degree from a Hong Kong university, or equivalent and working experience and are employed under such title in the medical and health sector.

3.15.2 A total of 224 scientific officers (medical) (216 full-time and eight part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 ( Table A ).

3.15.3 Among the 224 scientific officers (medical) enumerated, 118 (52.7%) were male and 106 (47.3%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 111 ( Table B ).

3.15.4 Of the 224 scientific officers (medical) enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 110 (49.1%) were employed by the Government, 58 (25.9%) by the Hospital Authority and 28 (12.5%) by the private sector and the academic sector ( Table B ).

3.16  Speech Therapists

3.16.1 Speech Therapists refer to the healthcare personnel who held a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from a Hong Kong university, or equivalent.

3.16.2 A total of 641 speech therapists (507 full-time and 134 part-time) were employed by the covered institutions as at 31.3.2014 ( Table A ).

3.16.3 Among the 641 speech therapists enumerated, 83 (12.9%) were male and 558 (87.1%) were female, giving an overall sex ratio (males per 100 females) of 15 ( Table B ).

3.16.4 Of the 641 speech therapists enumerated as at 31.3.2014, 259 (40.4%) were employed by the subvented sector, 227 (35.4%) by the private sector, 82 (12.8%) by the Hospital Authority and 51 (8.0%) by the academic sector ( Table B ).

IV.    Limitations of Findings

4.1  The survey findings represented the situation as at the survey reference date -- 31.3.2014. Analysis on the characteristics of healthcare personnel employed was based on the data collected on those enumerated institutions only.

4.2  Since the survey was conducted through sending the questionnaires to all the covered institutions, the information of individual practising healthcare personnel was not available.

4.3  The results of the current survey are not strictly comparable to that of the previous ones before 2005 due to the difference in survey methodology and reference date.

4.4  Since some groups of healthcare personnel were small, readers should interpret the relevant statistics with caution.

Table A : Number of Healthcare Personnel Enumerated by Sector as at 31.3.2014

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Table B : Selected Characteristics of Healthcare Personnel Enumerated

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1 Mar 2016