Overview and Objectives
Endocrinology is the study of the structure and function of our glandular systems located in different parts of the body (e.g. pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, gonads, adrenal glands, pancreatic islets, gut, endothelium and bone). These organs secrete hormones to regulate growth, metabolism and reproduction in response to internal and external signals. Metabolism is the whole sum of cellular reactions for supplying the body with energy for survival.
Loss of structure and function of these endocrine glands can lead to common diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, thyroid dysfunction and osteoporosis. They are also causes to some rare diseases such as monogenic diabetes and familial hypercholesterolaemia. These conditions are encountered in clinical practice and their Mendelian mode of inheritance has important implications on cascade screening, genetic counselling and early targeted treatment.
This one-year part-time programme is designed to update both health care professionals and researchers to recognize the diverse clinical presentations, current treatments, gaps in diagnosis and treatment as well as d emerging therapies in the field. Special emphasis will be put on conditions relevant to Asian populations.
The programme is a key module of MEDM with award of diploma and professional credit points. The combined format of lectures, interactive workshops, case studies and clinical attachments will help learners stay abreast in this data era where genomic medicine and precision care are highly relevant to endocrine and metabolic diseases.
Course Structure
Module 1: Lectures (7 sessions)
- Overview of epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of common endocrine disorders
| Course Code | Date 2026 |
Time | Description |
| EM1S1 | Mar 7 | An introduction to endocrinology | |
| 14:00-15:00 | Overview of homeostasis and endocrine system | ||
| 15:00-16:00 | Overview of disease of the hypothalamus pituitary axis | ||
| 16:15-17:15 | Genetic endocrine disease – an overview | ||
| EM1S2 | Mar 14 | Hypothalamus-pituitary axis | |
| 14:00-15:00 | Cushing’s syndrome – from diagnosis to management | ||
| 15:00-16:00 | Pituitary incidentaloma and prolactinoma | ||
| 16:15-17:15 | Acromegaly | ||
| EM1S3 | Mar 21 | Thyroid and bone disorders | |
| 14:00-15:00 | Thyroid disorders – pitfall of diagnosis and management | ||
| 15:00-16:00 | Osteoporosis – current management | ||
| 16:15-17:15 | Calcium disorders and metabolic bone disease | ||
| EM1S4 | Mar 28 | Reproductive endocrinology | |
| 14:00-15:00 | Polycystic ovarian syndrome – its metabolic and endocrine aspects | ||
| 15:00-16:00 | Approach to menstrual disturbance and infertility | ||
| 16:15-17:15 | Approach to impotence and hypogonadism | ||
| EM1S5 | Apr 11 | Adrenal disorders | |
| 14:00-15:00 | Conn’s syndrome and workup for secondary hypertension | ||
| 15:00-16:00 | Neuroendocrine tumors and updates | ||
| 16:15-17:15 | Phaeochromocytoma and adrenal incidentaloma – workup and management | ||
| EM1S6 | Apr 18 | Common lipid and uncommon childhood endocrine disorders | |
| 14:00-15:00 | Short stature, delayed puberty and overview of other common paediatric endocrine diseases | ||
| 15:00-16:00 | Common lipid disorders – evaluation and update on management | ||
| 16:15-17:15 | Molecular and biochemical evaluation of endocrine disorders | ||
| EM1S7 | Apr 25 | Emerging issues and controversies | |
| 14:00-15:00 | Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and endocrine dysfunction | ||
| 15:00-16:00 | Interpretation of endocrine tests during acute illnesses | ||
| 16:15-17:15 | Neurohormonal dysregulation | ||
Module 2: Interactive workshops (5 sessions)
- Demonstrate the principles of diagnostic evaluation and management of common endocrine disorders using a multidisciplinary approach
| Course Code | Date 2026 |
Time | Description |
| EM2W1 | Sep 5 | 14:00-19:00 | Thyroid and bone disorders |
|
|||
| EM2W2 | Sep 12 | 14:00-19:00 | Adrenal gland and reproductive endocrinology (1) |
|
|||
| EM2W3 | Oct 19 | 14:00-19:00 | Pituitary gland and reproductive endocrinology (2) |
|
|||
| EM2W4 | Oct 31 | 14:00-19:00 | Electrolytes and lipid disorders (from clinical evaluation to management) |
MCQ examination (20 questions) |
|||
| EM2W5 | Nov 7 | 14:00-19:00 | Paediatric and reproductive endocrinology (3) |
|
Â
Lecture Venue:
Seminar Room 1, 2/F, Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories
Module 3: Clinical Attachments (8 sessions)
- Illustrate the outpatient and inpatient management through clinical attachments
- Scheduled on weekdays in the teaching hospital from August to December 2026. Students will have to attend clinical attachments of the following eight topics –
| Course Code | Topic |
| EM3C1 | Endocrine clinic |
| EM3C2 | Endocrine case discussion |
| EM3C3 | Endocrine in-patient grand round |
| EM3C4 | Combined obesity clinic |
| EM3C5 | Thyroid clinic |
| EM3C6 | Combined pituitary clinic |
| EM3C7 | Growth and endocrine clinic |
| EM3C8 | Combined gynae-endocrine clinic |
Teaching Faculty
Assessment
Candidates will be awarded the diploma qualification upon satisfactorily fulfilling the following requirements:
1.          75% of attendance in each module
2.          Passing a MCQ assessment
3.          Passing 10 case studies on diagnosis and management of endocrinology and related diseases
4.          Passing a 5000-word dissertation on an endocrinology-related topic
Requirements 2 – 4 will be graded from A to F with Grade C or above being regarded as a pass.
Admission
Admission Requirements
Applicants should be a degree holder with relevant qualifications in his/her discipline with 2 years of continued experience in care and/or research related to diabetes, metabolism and/or endocrinology.
Two confidential recommendations are required for those who do not hold a university degree.
Exemption
Graduates of Basic Course in General Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2022 and in 2024 are eligible to apply for exemption of Module 1 with a lower programme fee.
Medical doctors who have taken clinical attachment for at least three months at one of the following accredited training centers for endocrinology with a written certification from the trainer are eligible to apply for exemption of EM3C1 – EM3C5:
Prince of Wales Hospital
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Queen Mary Hospital
The written certification should be attached to the form of Application for Exemption to Clinical Attachments.
Application Procedures
Application must be made using the downloadable Application Form and returned to the Programme Office with full fees on or before 27 February 2026.Â
Please also submit the following documents together with this form:
a. a recent passport size photo
b. a copy of your Hong Kong Identity Card / Passport
c. copies of your academic certificates
d. copies of attendance certificate(s) of the Basic Course in General Endocrinology & Metabolism (if any)
e. separate crossed cheques for application fee and exemption fee (if applicable) made payable to “The Chinese University of Hong Kong”
Mailing Address of the Programme OfficeÂ
Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
3/F, Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building
Prince of Wales Hospital
Shatin, New Territories
Hong Kong
Tuition
Application Fee (Non-refundable): HKD200
Exemption Fee (Non-refundable): HKD200
Programme Fee: HKD54,054
Programme fee for applicants who have applied exemption of Module 1 from Basic Course in General Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2022 and in 2024 would be at HKD53,030 and HKD52,030 respectively.
Enquiries
Programme Office
Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
7/F, Block B, Staff Quarters
Prince of Wales Hospital
Shatin, New Territories
Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3505 1419
Email:Â gdem@cuhk.edu.hk