A cross-sectional study examining the association between MRCS performance and surgeons receiving sanctions against
R Ellis1, J Cleland2, D S G Scrimgeour3
1Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom; Urology Department, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Background:
Fitness to practice (FtP) investigations by the General Medical Council (GMC) safeguard patients and maintain the integrity of the medical profession. The likelihood of FtP sanctions is influenced by specialty and socio-demographic factors and can be predicted by performance at postgraduate examinations. This is the first study to characterise the prevalence of FtP sanctions in early-career surgeons and to examine the association with performance at the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examination.
Methods:
All UK graduates who attempted MRCS between September 2007-January 2020 were matched to the GMC list of registered medical practitioners. Clinicians who had active FtP sanctions between 28th August 2018 and 28th August 2020 were identified. Data were anonymised by RCS England prior to analysis.
Results:
Of 11,660 candidates who attempted MRCS within the study period, only 31 (0.3%) had FtP sanctions between 2018 and 2020. Of these, 12 had active conditions on registration, seven had undertakings and 14 had warnings. There was no statistically significant difference in MRCS performance in either Parts A or B of the examination for those with and those free from FtP sanctions (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
In this, the largest study of MRCS candidates to date, the prevalence of active FtP sanctions in early-career surgeons was 0.3%, significantly lower than the prevalence of sanctions across more experienced UK surgeons (0.9%). These data highlight early-career surgeons as a low-risk group for disciplinary action and should reassure patients and medical professionals of the rarity of FtP sanctions.
Insights
Early-career surgeons have a low prevalence of fitness to practice (FtP) sanctions, with only 0.3% of Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) exam candidates facing action. Performance in the MRCS exam did not predict FtP sanctions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Regulation
- Surgical Education
- Professional Standards
Background:
- Fitness to practice (FtP) investigations by the General Medical Council (GMC) are crucial for patient safety and professional integrity.
- Factors influencing FtP sanctions include medical specialty, socio-demographic background, and postgraduate examination performance.
- This study is the first to investigate FtP sanctions in early-career surgeons and their link to MRCS examination results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of FtP sanctions among early-career UK surgeons.
- To analyze the association between MRCS examination performance and the occurrence of FtP sanctions.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 11,660 UK graduates who took the MRCS examination between September 2007 and January 2020 was identified.
- This cohort was cross-referenced with the GMC's practitioner list to identify those with active FtP sanctions between August 2018 and August 2020.
- Data were anonymized by RCS England before statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Only 31 (0.3%) of the 11,660 MRCS candidates had active FtP sanctions.
- The sanctions included 12 active conditions on registration, seven undertakings, and 14 warnings.
- No significant difference in MRCS Parts A or B performance was found between candidates with and without FtP sanctions (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Early-career surgeons exhibit a low prevalence (0.3%) of active FtP sanctions, which is lower than that of more experienced UK surgeons (0.9%).
- This indicates that early-career surgeons represent a low-risk group for disciplinary actions.
- The findings should reassure patients and medical professionals about the rarity of FtP sanctions in this group.
