Dr Peter Dangerfield, Chairman of the Board of Medical Education
Speech to ARM 2005
27 June 2005
Training and education
Chairman, I move that the report of the Board of Medical Education, in the Annual Report of Council be received.
This report considers the work of the Board over the past session in a number of fields, so I will merely highlight the main achievements and indicate the future direction of our work in the coming session.
Medical education is constantly evolving and right now we are in the midst of a number of major changes in the way that training and education are carried out and received. With the advent of the PMETB and the developments of Modernising Medical Careers, the nature of medical education and training is being redefined. This knowledge influenced the development of the work and projects we pursued this year, as we strove to provide our members with the most useful and up-to-date information available while helping to shape the changes on a national level.
In the past session we have completed a number of studies and have published reports with recommendations, both in hard copy and on the BMA web site. The board has also published several new information resources for doctors and students.
Projects completed in the 2004/05 session
Medical specialities: the way forward (BMA Guide to Medical Careers)
The BMA Guide to Medical Careers highlights the majority of medical specialties and career paths. It provides at-a-glance essential information about each specialty, including a character profile of the types of people most likely to be suited to the role, and the rewards and challenges of working in the speciality. It also sets out the training routes, necessary qualifications and experience for entering the speciality. Contributions from doctors currently working within certain specialities are included, offering readers an ‘inside look’ at a typical day in their working lives. Also covered are: the medical career structure, pay and conditions of service, working abroad, flexible training and information for doctors from other countries. This guide is free to members.
Developing the Doctor-Manager Leadership Role
Managing, in its various forms, is already part of the daily working lives of many doctors. For those interested in participating in a more formal management role, there appears to be a wealth of opportunity for learning about and developing management skills. Developing the Doctor-Manager Leadership Role aims to raise awareness about access to programmes which offer opportunities to learn about leadership in the medical profession, and the development of management skills for doctors. It also identifies a number of providers who offer opportunities in leadership development.
Communications skills education for doctors—an update
Communications Skills - Education for Doctors is an update of the BME’s 2002 report. It is a web-based resource which aims to raise awareness within the medical profession of the significant issues involved in communication skills training, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. The paper highlights the benefits of good communication skills, the concerns expressed about inadequate communication skills in the medical profession, barriers to effective communication, and communication skills in undergraduate and postgraduate education. Although the paper focuses on doctors, many of its principles are applicable to other healthcare workers.
Physician assistants
The Physician Assistants discussion paper explores the possible role of physician assistants in the UK, with reference to the US-style model. The paper, available on the BMA website, sets out the BMA’s current position and invites comments. Due to rapid developments in this field, it is very much an indicative document and all sections will be subject to further updates. An open discussion forum has been set up on the BMA website to encourage debate and the sharing of views, with the aim of publishing a full policy document on physician assistants in the future.
Projects nearing completion
Flexible study for a medical degree
The Flexible Study for a Medical Degree briefing paper investigates options for part-time and/or flexible study for a medical degree in the UK. It also explores what, if any, support mechanisms are currently available to medical students who are parents or carers. The paper will shortly be available on the BMA website.
Equality and diversity in the medical curriculum
As part of the BMA’s commitment to the Department of Health’s ‘Equal values: equal outcomes’ initiative, the Board of Medical Education is carrying out research into UK and international medical curricula. We aim to establish if and how equality and diversity in the medical curriculum are taught and assessed. The Board of Medical Education, with input from the Equal Opportunities Committee, will produce a report setting out how medical curricula can change to address equality and diversity and reflect good practice.
Board of Medical Education's plans for the forthcoming session
There are several topics that the Board of Medical Education would like to focus on in the forthcoming session, and here are some examples:
Inter-professional education
This will be an update of the BMA’s 1998 report on inter-professional education.
Doctors as teachers
This paper is aimed at helping practitioners to be more effective at supporting and supervising medical students in the workplace.
CPD and revalidation
In light of the Department of Health’s postponement of the intended launch of revalidation from April 2005, the Board of Medical Education will continue to maintain a watching brief until the GMC is clear as to the way forward.
Closing address
Finally Chairman, I would like to express my thanks to all members of the Association. In particular Chief Officers, members of the Board of Medical Education, the Craft Committees and other colleagues who have assisted me during the past session, and who have contributed to the work of the Board, in promoting BMA policy regarding medical education and training. I would also like to express my gratitude on behalf of the Board to the Department of Science and Education.
