Indian-origin doctors claim 'inequality' in GP exams in UK
A group of Indian-origin physicians has launched a legal action against the regulatory body for doctors in the UK, alleging that the exam, which confirms a doctor has satisfactorily completed speciality training and is competent to enter independent practice, is flawed and discriminates against international trainees.
The British Association of Physicians of Indian-Origin (BAPIO) claims there is a "significant difference in pass rates" between UK and international graduates, including those of Indian origin.
Their lawyers have started a legal bid against the regulator, the General Medical Council (GMC), and standards body, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).
"BAPIO is seeking a Judicial Review of the way the RCGP conducts the MRCGP exam. Our lawyers claim there is a significant different in pass rates which cannot be explained by a lack of any knowledge, skill or competency on the part of the International Medical Graduates (IMGs), which include those of Indian origin," Ramesh Mehta, President of BAPIO said in a statement today.
The BAPIO argues that these graduates will have already passed the GMC's PLAB test (which includes an English language test and demonstrates that graduates have the necessary skills and knowledge to practise medicine in the UK), a rigorous
examination for entry into GP training and on-going assessments.
RCGP figures show that 65.3 per cent of IMGs failed their first attempt at the Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) component of the MRCGP exam in 2011/12, compared with 9.9 per cent of UK graduates.
In 2010/11, 59.2 per cent of IMGs failed at the first attempt, compared with
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