Standards and outcomes

We work to make sure that education and training prepares doctors, physician associates and anaesthesia associates to deliver good, safe patient care across the UK. We also set the standards and expected outcomes for education and career development for these professions.

Publications

Promoting excellence

This document sets out the standards for the delivery of medical education and training. These standards have patient safety, quality of care, and fairness at their heart.

Standards for the delivery of PA and AA pre-qualification education
Standards for the delivery of PA and AA pre-qualification education

This document sets out the standards for the delivery of pre-qualification education for physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs). These standards have patient safety, quality of care, and fairness at their heart.

Excellence by design
Excellence by design: standards for postgraduate curricula

Excellence by design sets out the requirements for postgraduate medical curricula. Royal colleges and faculties follow these when developing, or amending curricula.

Standards for PA and AA curricula
Standards for PA and AA curricula

The standards for physician associate (PA) and anaesthesia associate (AA) curricula set out the requirements for PA and AA curricula. All PA and AA courses will implement the relevant curricula so that learners are able to achieve the outcomes required to qualify.

Generic professional capabilities guidance on implementation for colleges and faculties
Generic professional capabilities framework

Training in skills like communication, leadership and patient safety is vital to patient care. This framework explains how these skills can be included in postgraduate curricula.

Outcomes for graduates, plus supplementary guidance

Medical students must meet the necessary standards to apply for provisional registration. Outcomes for graduates sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours that new UK medical graduates must be able to show.

An icon of hands holding a tablet representing standards and outcomes
PA and AA generic and shared learning outcomes

The generic and shared learning outcomes for PAs and AAs contain the knowledge, skills and behaviours that we expect new PAs and AAs to have before being able to register with us and to practise safely. Courses must make sure that PA and AA students have the opportunity to develop these outcomes as part of their education.

An icon of hands holding a tablet representing standards and outcomes
Outcomes for provisionally registered doctors with a licence to practise

Before applying for full registration, provisionally registered doctors must meet a high standard. This document sets out the outcomes expected of them.

Our medical education guidance

We set the standards and outcomes for medical education and training in the UK. We regulate all stages of doctors' training and professional development. From undergraduate education at medical schools to postgraduate education. These five publications set out these requirements.

Our collection of position statements look at specific areas where we have been asked to provide further clarity or information.
Medicine never stops improving, meaning education and training must keep pace. Our projects cover anything which may impact on now or in the future.