Healthcare organisations are keen to address their waiting time problem. However, not much research has been carried out in this area. The study thus fills the lacuna in waiting time studies in healthcare organisations.

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation.*Related content and download information correct at time of download. Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to identify the dimensions of preparedness for hospital practice among newly graduated medical officers in Malaysian hospitals who are undergoing their housemanship training; and to compare the level of preparedness among the different curricula and predict the dimensions of preparedness for hospital practice. Design/methodology/approach -A national study was carried out and data collection was by means of self-administered questionnaire. Data obtained (n ¼ 1,213) were subjected to exploratory factor analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 18 in extracting the dimensions of preparedness for hospital practice. Findings -Nine dimensions of hospital practice were identified which were access to information and IT skills, interpersonal skills, basic skills, and continuing professional development, holistic skills, coping skills, ethic and legal skills, patient management skills, scientific knowledge, and clinical skills. Overall, the respondents felt their medical schools prepared them for hospital practice. The strongest predictor for preparedness for hospital practice is coping skills. Holistic skill and preparedness for hospital practice was found to be negatively associated. Those who graduated from twining programmes between Malaysian and overseas universities were found to be better prepared for hospital practice. Social implications -An understanding on preparedness for hospital practice among newly graduated medical officers is a step forward in assuring patient safety and quality of care. The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: www.emeraldinsight.com/1754-2731.htmThe authors wish to acknowledge with thanks funding from the Institute of Health Management, Ministry of Health Malaysia for the above study. Originality/value -Although of significant importance, however, a study of this nature is rarely researched and the first for Malaysian houseman.