Communication problems contribute to overseas doctors’ lower pass rate in MRCGP exam

Abstract

Overseas doctors’ difficulties in communicating contribute to their lower pass rates in the membership examination for the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP), researchers have found. A team from King’s College London looked at why medical graduates from overseas and UK candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds had a disproportionately high chance of failing the clinical skills assessment (CSA) part of the exam, in which examiners assess candidates’ clinical, professional, and communication skills during interactions with actors playing patients.12 They analysed 40 video recordings of candidates sitting the CSA test and reviewed examiners’ feedback and paperwork, excluding cases where there were clear and important clinical errors or mismanagement. The researchers found that poorly performing candidates were more likely to have difficulties explaining matters to patients. …