Success factors in Non-UK graduates in the CSA examination version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is it possible to identify factors which may predict success in Non- UK graduates in the Clinical Skills Examination (MRCGP)? A qualitative, telephone interview based study of current and recent trainees in Scotland.
IRAS ID
139049
Contact name
Eleanor Ragg
Contact email
Research summary
There has been very little research that looks specifically at this area. It is known that non-UK graduates have lower success rates than UK graduates in the Clinical Skills Assessment examination, a required component of the MRCGP (membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners). Doctors are unable to practice as independent General Practitioners unless they pass this examination.
There has been a fair amount of research looking at reasons for failure, but much less about predicting success in this group for this examination.
I would hope that it is possible to identify factors which may predict success, and that this information may be put to good use in developing education programmes for training GPs, providing advice for trainees, and possibly in the selection of future GPs.
The research question is, “Is it possible to identify factors which may predict success (as measured by a first attempt pass in the Clinical Skills Examination between the period Aug 2012 to April 2014) in Non-UK graduates (who are training in, or trained in General Practice in Scotland) at the CSA examination?“, and then “If so, what are they?“ (e.g personal attributes, attitudes, behaviours, training experiences, demographic factors).
This is a qualitative study, where I plan to interview approximately 10 doctors,in a semi-structured telephone interview (one-off, approximately 30 minutes). The participants will all have graduated in non-UK Universities, and passed their postgraduate Clinical Skills Assessment (General Practice) examination on the first sitting. These would be current, or recent trainees (recently fully qualified GPs) in General Practice, throughout Scotland (to ensure adequate numbers).
The telephone interview would be based on questions about the doctors demographics, training specific factors, behaviours and attitudes towards training and learning about General Practice in a UK context.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
13/NS/0172
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jan 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion