Re: BMA strongly opposes changes to foundation programme applications
Dear Editor
This article provides an interesting read and highlights points we both agree and disagree with. The purpose of an intercalated degree is to develop a wider knowledge of a chosen topic outside of that taught in the medicine curriculum, which can be valuable for both future applications and personal development. As fourth year medical students who have recently intercalated, we know first-hand that one of the main driving factors for doing so were the extra points on offer. Therefore, I can understand the UKFPOs decision to remove the current points system, as it does not align with the true reasons for undertaking an intercalation.
Publications, on the other hand, we believe should continue to be rewarded, however the criteria for what is deemed a publication should be adjusted. In the old system a point was awarded for supplying any PubMed ID containing the student as a primary author(1). In this way all publications are given the same weighting, 1 point. This meaning that relatively low effort publications, such as ‘Letter’s to the Editor’, are counted the same as research projects, which can take months to complete and over a year to publish. As publications do not have the same financial restrictions as undertaking an additional degree, whether that be prior to or during the medical programme, the opportunity for gaining these additional points is equally available to all students.
In our opinion students that show the initiative and commitment to complete academic research alongside their medical degree should continue to be meaningfully rewarded, with points towards their further training applications. It is the criteria for granting these points which needs to be addressed.
Rapid Response:
Re: BMA strongly opposes changes to foundation programme applications
Dear Editor
This article provides an interesting read and highlights points we both agree and disagree with. The purpose of an intercalated degree is to develop a wider knowledge of a chosen topic outside of that taught in the medicine curriculum, which can be valuable for both future applications and personal development. As fourth year medical students who have recently intercalated, we know first-hand that one of the main driving factors for doing so were the extra points on offer. Therefore, I can understand the UKFPOs decision to remove the current points system, as it does not align with the true reasons for undertaking an intercalation.
Publications, on the other hand, we believe should continue to be rewarded, however the criteria for what is deemed a publication should be adjusted. In the old system a point was awarded for supplying any PubMed ID containing the student as a primary author(1). In this way all publications are given the same weighting, 1 point. This meaning that relatively low effort publications, such as ‘Letter’s to the Editor’, are counted the same as research projects, which can take months to complete and over a year to publish. As publications do not have the same financial restrictions as undertaking an additional degree, whether that be prior to or during the medical programme, the opportunity for gaining these additional points is equally available to all students.
In our opinion students that show the initiative and commitment to complete academic research alongside their medical degree should continue to be meaningfully rewarded, with points towards their further training applications. It is the criteria for granting these points which needs to be addressed.
1) UK Foundation Programme . UKFP Application Handbook 2021 [cited 2021 11/03]. Available from: https://nwpgmd.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/UKFP%202021%20Applicants%27%20....
Competing interests: No competing interests