27.09.13
Foreign medics 15 times more likely to fail RCGP exam
A review of the membership of the RCGP examination confirmed significant differences in outcomes for black and minority ethnic versus white candidates, but added that this could not be attributed to the exam itself.
Commissioned by the GMC following concerns about the fairness of the exam and led by Professor Esmail of the University of Manchester, the review found that the method of assessment was not a reason for the differential outcomes in pass rates.
BME UK graduates are nearly four times more likely to fail the Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) examination on their first attempt than white UK graduates. BME International Medical Graduates (IMG) are nearly 15 times more likely to fail.
The review recommends publishing exam results of the GMC’s Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exams and International English Language Testing (IELT) results, and how they link to College exam results.
Additionally the GMC should work with Colleges to ensure equality and diversity training, Prof Esmail suggested. Clear advice on how to better prepare could also be made available to IMGs.
Niall Dickson, chief executive of the General Medical Council, said: “The report by Professor Aneez Esmail found that while there are significant differences in pass rates between different groups of doctors, the way they are assessed in the CSA is not the cause of those differences.
“We welcome his conclusions, which we hope will both provide some assurance and help find better ways to support doctors undertaking GP training.”
But he added: “This report should not be a cause for complacency and we need to understand more about why “there are significant differences in failure rate between different groups in the CSA examination”.
“The exams are very important for all involved and it is right that, because of the nature of general practice, they are rigorous, demanding and specific to the UK health system. The health service relies on the skill and dedication of doctors who trained outside the UK – we want all doctors in training to succeed.”
The RCGP stated: “The RCGP is committed to equality and diversity and has always strongly refuted allegations of discrimination in the MRCGP, subjective or otherwise. All of our assessment procedures are designed with fairness in mind but also to ensure safe care for patients, and we are always looking to enhance and improve our processes.
“In noting the recommendations, we recognise many of the issues raised – particularly around the diversity of MRCGP examiners and role players, the mix of cases used in CSA exams and candidate feedback – and have been working hard to address these for some time.”
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