Scandal of failing foreign docs who demand right to sit GP exam staggering 6 times

[joebloggs]

just like the mail, my misses has to sit this exam in a couple of years time, there is something not right with this exam, less than 9% or British doctors fail, yet 63% of IMG's are failing it..

before dedworth starts posting about it , gets some facts right, all IMG's would have had to pass IELTS the academic version and get an average of 7 or is it 7.5 in each area , taken the PLAB exams, one is theory and the other a practical one where the doctor does exactly the same as this exam with actors as patients - not an easy exam to a pass.

then many of the IMG's have taken 2yrs of foundation training exactly the same training as the British doctors even working with them..

then done 3yrs GP training, so why is it so many are failing ??? the college in charge of the exam mention a leading UK specialists who say a recent study showed ‘no substantial effects of gender or ethnicity on examiner/candidate interactions’, and that passing the exams is dependent on having the appropriate skills. this study was carried out by the college

it looks like this is going to end in legal action by BAPIO (British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin ) and I wonder if they will use the services of one of the best barristers in UK (Rabinder Singh QC) to fight their case as he has won a case for them in the past.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...SIX-times.html

[Doc Alan]

I’m sure “ Mrs Joebloggs “ will pass her exam and send my best wishes – on behalf of all members !


She’s one of a tiny minority of Filipino doctors in the UK. More than a third of doctors registered with the General Medical Council ( GMC ) qualified outside the UK – about 10% from India, followed by Pakistan ( 3% ). This ethnic diversity doesn’t closely reflect that of the UK population. For various reasons all doctors required by the UK health service cannot first be trained here as students.


At present non-EU nationals are required to have minimum score 7 in International English Language Test System ( IELTS ).


They do also need to pass the Professional and Linguistics Assessments Board ( PLAB ) exams. Part 1 is a computer-marked written examination testing knowledge and skills to the same level as UK-trained doctors. Part 2 is a clinical examination assessing practical and communication skills.


To become a General Practitioner ( GP ) requires membership of the Royal College of GP’s – involving applied knowledge test, clinical skills and workplace-based assessments.


It’s true that foreign doctors are more likely to fail these exams – just as a higher proportion of doctors who are disciplined come from overseas. Communication problems and cultural differences are thought to be more important than differences in clinical training.


The General Medical Council – and medical colleges – recognize the need for reforms. These include a new induction programme, review of PLAB, language tests for EU doctors, and a new system of checks ( “ revalidation “ ) for ALL doctors.


The ideal goal is for doctors to reach a uniform standard, and to “ eliminate rogue doctors “. This may never be 100% achievable , but surely good communication underpins good medical practice.


Without such skills no doctor should be allowed to continue working – regardless of ethnicity.


To me there should be no limit to the number of times an exam may be taken – provided it is marked fairly and consistently and proves the required standard of clinical care has been reached. “ Revalidation “ is an attempt to prove that those standards are maintained for the rest of the doctor’s professional life.

[joebloggs]

sorry I missed your reply Doc Alan

i don't see why so many UK doctors pass first time 90%, while IMG's less than 40%, many of the IMG's have done foundation training and worked in the NHS for years..
[I]
from a friend, who's doing GP training..

The Issue has to do a lot with the mannerism and the way candidates talk to the patients (actors)- again this is a possibility (people born here have undoubtedly been to the GP right from a young age and are used to the system here- again, I cannot say if this is the reason). I do agree most white candidates fly through the exam, but so do a lot of Asian British doctors. Also, why do males do worse than females?? is it to say that they are sexist? I seriously doubt it.