GMC searches for volunteers to go ‘back to school’

The GMC is looking for volunteer doctors to road test GMC Fitness to Practise Performance Assessments.

The Assessments are used as part of an investigation into a doctor’s fitness to practise. The tests help to identify any areas of weakness for doctors to start the process of helping doctors back to full fitness to practise. Volunteers, assessors and role players will all give the GMC feedback which will help to improve the tests and ensure that they continue to be as effective as possible.

Each volunteer will have to complete a written knowledge test and a 12 station OSCE (objective structured clinical examination) under examination conditions.  Assessors will observe and score them.

Participants receive a fee of £350 plus travel expenses. CPD (Continuing Professional Development) credits will be given.

Volunteers must have worked within either Obstetrics & Gynaecology; Anaesthetics; Paediatrics; General Practice or Child Psychiatry within the last year.

Bath based GP, Dr Anna Cumisky, regularly volunteers at these events: “I view them as a day out of regular practice, a useful opportunity for self assessment and a valuable insight into the activities and procedures of the GMC.”

Sir Graeme Catto, Chair of Council at the GMC said: “Volunteers gain a greater understanding of the GMC and what we do but it is also excellent examination practice for those about to do postgraduate exams.”

The events will be held in the Clinical Skills Centre at the GMC offices in London.

Forthcoming dates are:

Obstetrics & Gynaecology, May 19-20

Anaesthetics, May 21-23

Paediatrics, July 20 - 21

General Practice, July 22

Child Psychiatry, July 23 -24

This programme of work has been undertaken in collaboration with the Medical Royal Colleges.

For further information or an application form please contact t.acme@medsch.ucl.ac.uk. Our partner in developing these tests is The Academic Centre for Medical Education (ACME) which is a division of University College London (UCL).