The creation of risk-related information: The UK General Medical Council's electronic database

This paper aims to clarify the potential to use data on doctors and fitness to practise (FTP) cases held by the UK General Medical Council (GMC) for wider regulatory purposes, such as identifying risk factors. The paper aims to concentrate on how data are shaped by the GMC's functions and organisational concerns, and by the configuration and use of their electronic database.

The GMC provided samples of their data, access to documentation surrounding the configuration and use of the database, and meetings with staff able to provide background on the database, GMC procedures, and the GMC as an organisation.

The FTP database is designed to process cases within complex legal rules, and to provide for accountability. The database and its use are adapted to these purposes. Attempts to use it for other purposes are likely to find it difficult to use, the scope and quality of data uneven and some codes unsuitable. The register data are very narrow in scope. While combining register and FTP data to identify risk factors is by itself of limited value, the database can contribute to closer study of risks to patient safety from poorly performing doctors.

The research was exploratory. It provides initial insights and the basis for further research.

The data have potential policy use for the GMC, but it is essential to understand the limitations.

The paper examines previously unanalysed influences on the GMC's data. It also develops new angles on questions in the regulation literature about organisational risks and the creation of risk data.