The British contribution to sponsored postgraduate training for overseas doctors

More effective use could be made of the resources devoted to the sponsored postgraduate training of overseas doctors in Britain. There is need for careful selection and planning of training programmes. More attention should be given to providing skills in communication, management and education. Clinical training requires the better provision of posts carrying responsibility. Training of leaders in the basic medical sciences should be based to a greater extent on courses leading to M.Sc. and less upon pure research degrees (there is also a major need for a broadly based M.Sc. for non-medical science graduates who will teach the basic sciences). A major recommendation is that a centra office should be established which would plan programmes for and supervise all sponsored trainees, under contract with the sponsoring body.