BMJ  2008;336:347 (16 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.39489.670822.DB

News

Graduates from different UK medical schools vary in postgraduate exam performance

¹ London

Graduates from some UK medical schools consistently perform better than others in postgraduate medical exams, says a study published this week. The authors say that their finding supports the introduction of a national licensing examination for doctors.

The study retrospectively analysed the performance from 2003 to 2005 of 5827 doctors from 19 UK medical schools in one or more of the three examinations required for membership of the Royal College of Physicians. This is an international postgraduate assessment that is important for career progression and is attempted by about 30% of all UK medical graduates.

The research group looked at performance in parts 1 and 2 of the written examination, which are multiple choice assessments, and in part 2 of the practical examination of clinical assessment skills (PACES), which uses real and simulated patients to test clinical examination and communication skills. A further analysis involved data on performance in the . . . [Full text of this article]

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Rapid Responses:

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Performance at what?

Neil R Parker
bmj.com, 15 Feb 2008 [Full text]

Bias in results or bias in assessment

Daryl J Mullen
bmj.com, 15 Feb 2008 [Full text]

National Licensing Examination for Doctors

Stephen Bentley
bmj.com, 17 Feb 2008 [Full text]

Statement of the obvious

John Edgar
bmj.com, 17 Feb 2008 [Full text]

Tomorrow's Doctors face Yesterday's Exams

Donal O'Kane
bmj.com, 17 Feb 2008 [Full text]

Confounding can explain varying school performance

Roy L. Soiza
bmj.com, 17 Feb 2008 [Full text]

Strive to be the best

John C Alcolado
bmj.com, 18 Feb 2008 [Full text]

Variety of medical courses remains the tonic for healthy medical education

DAVID G SAMUEL
bmj.com, 18 Feb 2008 [Full text]

South vs North vs Overseas

DR P ALEXANDER
bmj.com, 20 Feb 2008 [Full text]

So, what does it mean?!

Dr A Thomas
bmj.com, 22 Feb 2008 [Full text]

not surprised...

Anonymous Anonymous
bmj.com, 12 Mar 2008 [Full text]

Important work

Ronald Tong
bmj.com, 13 Mar 2008 [Full text]

Good doctors or good sorts?

Paul W Dimmock
bmj.com, 20 Mar 2008 [Full text]

This is biased

Nadeem Ahmad
bmj.com, 2 Apr 2008 [Full text]

Possible reason for Liverpools poor result

Jonathan C Stevenson
bmj.com, 8 Jun 2008 [Full text]