Rapid responses are electronic comments to the editor. They enable our users
to debate issues raised in articles published on bmj.com. A rapid response
is first posted online. If you need the URL (web address) of an individual
response, simply click on the response headline and copy the URL from the
browser window. A proportion of responses will, after editing, be published
online and in the print journal as letters, which are indexed in PubMed.
Rapid responses are not indexed in PubMed and they are not journal articles.
The BMJ reserves the right to remove responses which are being
wilfully misrepresented as published articles or when it is brought to our
attention that a response spreads misinformation.
From March 2022, the word limit for rapid responses will be 600 words not
including references and author details. We will no longer post responses
that exceed this limit.
The word limit for letters selected from posted responses remains 300 words.
I think it is more stark in FRCS exit examination. Since 2005 these examinations were opened to non-training grade doctors who are mostly overseas trained but experienced surgeons. They pass the 1st part that is computer based, to reach the final part and get unexpectedly failed even after doing well in the exams. In last 2 doses of General surgery final exit exams, the pass rate of doctors not in training has come down to 18% and 9%, compared to above 80% pass rate in training candidates. This group constitutes SAS doctors, many of whom have passed the tougher old style FRCS without any fail. There is lack of transparency from the intercollegiate board in giving detailed reasons of the fail. It is hard to believe that this wide difference in pass rate between 2 categories can be explained by natural factors.
Racial discrimination is rampant in all colleges and also in GMC through out UK. Finally one college has come up with this study. Unfortunately, racial profile is not publicly posted on any colleges' website, otherwise it would be obvious.
You do not need to do any study to prove this. Just look at the GMC website under section of action against doctors. In any month, majority of doctors names are non-english sounding. Non english doctors are minority in UK, and inspite of that they are majority in these rulings.
I had personal experience during the MRCP paces. At one station, I got 4 (clear pass) from one examiner and 1 (clear fail) from other. It clearly proves that out of three of us (me and two examiners), two were wrong or two were right. You can do the rest of math. I rest my case.
Re: Study raises concerns over racial discrimination in MRCGP exam
I think it is more stark in FRCS exit examination. Since 2005 these examinations were opened to non-training grade doctors who are mostly overseas trained but experienced surgeons. They pass the 1st part that is computer based, to reach the final part and get unexpectedly failed even after doing well in the exams. In last 2 doses of General surgery final exit exams, the pass rate of doctors not in training has come down to 18% and 9%, compared to above 80% pass rate in training candidates. This group constitutes SAS doctors, many of whom have passed the tougher old style FRCS without any fail. There is lack of transparency from the intercollegiate board in giving detailed reasons of the fail. It is hard to believe that this wide difference in pass rate between 2 categories can be explained by natural factors.
Competing interests: non-white ethnic minority surgeon