Training: BMA expresses concern over changes to specialty recruitment

Recruitment for specialty training has been substantially changed this year, with all interviews taking place online and an increased use of computer based testing. The BMA has raised concerns about the changes that affect the 2021 recruitment round for specialty training across the UK.1

In a webinar on 21 October Health Education England set out the changes that will be introduced owing to the covid-19 pandemic.2 There will be increased reliance on the computer based multispecialty recruitment assessment (MSRA). Although this test is already used by some specialties, such as general practice, applicants to acute care common stem and paediatrics will need to take this test for the first time this year.

All interviews will take place online, and there will be no interviews at all for applicants to general practice and psychiatry. Appointments to …