General Medical Council

About: General Medical Council is a government organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Health care & Public health. The organization has 69 authors who have published 111 publications receiving 1663 citations. The organization is also known as: GMC.

New edition of Tomorrow's Doctors.

Abstract: The GMC's publication, Tomorrow's Doctors, sets out the framework for undergraduate medical education in the UK. The original version was published in 1993, and had a profound effect on encouraging UK medical schools to develop new and innovative curricula. The GMC has now revised this guidance to take account of developments in educational theory and research since 1993; and to address issues identified during two rounds of visits to all UK medical schools to monitor the implementation of its guidance between 1995 and 2001. The revised document places the principles of professional practice at the heart of undergraduate medical education, and identifies the outcomes required of all medical graduates.

The assessment of poorly performing doctors: the development of the assessment programmes for the General Medical Council's Performance Procedures.

Abstract: Background Modernization of medical regulation has included the introduction of the Professional Performance Procedures by the UK General Medical Council in 1995. The Council now has the power to assess any registered practitioner whose performance may be seriously deficient, thus calling registration (licensure) into question. Problems arising from ill health or conduct are dealt with under separate programmes. Methods This paper describes the development of the assessment programmes within the overall policy framework determined by the Council. Peer review of performance in the workplace (Phase 1) is followed by tests of competence (Phase 2) to reflect the relationship between clinical competence and performance. The theoretical and research basis for the approach are presented, and the relationship between the qualitative methods in Phase 1 and the quantitative methods in Phase 2 explored. Conclusions The approach is feasible, has been implemented and has stood legal challenge. The assessors judge and report all the evidence they collect and may not select from it. All their judgements are included and the voice of the lay assessor is preserved. Taken together, the output from both phases forms an important basis for remediation and training should it be required.

Practicing breast self-examination among women attending primary health care in Kuwait

Abstract: Background Despite the benefits associated with breast self-examination (BSE), few women perform it and many do not even know how to perform it. Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify the proportion of women practicing BSE, factors that could affect its performance and explore women’s awareness about its practice steps. Methods The study design can be differentiated into two components. The first was a cross-sectional survey to determine the prevalence of BSE. Recruitment efforts resulted in 510 women. BSE was practiced by 109. The second component of the study was a case-control study to identify factors associated with BSE, whereas practicing subjects (control) were compared with a randomly selected similar number of non-practicing females (cases). Results The prevalence of BSE was 21%. Most of the socio-demographic variables have no significant effect on the practice of BSE. Practicing women had sufficient level of knowledge about BSE, clinical breast examination, and mammography. They believed significantly that bloody discharge from the nipple, presence of masses in the breasts, abnormal arm swelling, nipple retraction and discoloration of the breast were signs and symptoms of breast cancer. About 35% of practicing women in the current study performed correctly ⩽6 steps out of 12 steps. Conclusion Only 21% of women attending PHC had ever practiced BSE. Even a high proportion of them were not aware of the correct steps of the procedure. Health education programs are essential to encourage and improve women’s practice of BSE.

The implementation of Tomorrow's Doctors.

Abstract: Background In 1993 the General Medical Council published its recommendations on undergraduate medical education. Aim To study the implementation of these recommendations in UK medical schools by means of informal visitations. Methods Teams consisting of 3–5 members visited the 25 UK medical schools in a 3-year period commencing in early 1995. Results Substantial changes have occurred in undergraduate medical education since the publication of Tomorrow's Doctors. Of the 13 principal recommendations, 3 had been implemented in most medical schools and a further 8 substantially implemented by the majority. However, progress in health promotion and the development of appropriate assessment schemes has been slower. Conclusions Informal visits have served a useful purpose in monitoring the implementation of the General Medical Council's recommendations on undergraduate medical education. In addition, they have encouraged dialogue with the medical schools and allowed the identification of examples of good practice including the establishment by most schools of medical education units.

“But no one told me it’s okay to not drink”: a qualitative study of young people who drink little or no alcohol

Abstract: Young people’s drinking is a matter of social, media, and political concern and the focus of much policy activity within the United Kingdom. Little consideration has been given to the fact that some young people choose to drink little or not all and our knowledge and understanding of their choices and how they manage not drinking is limited. Nor has much attention been paid to the possibility that the insights of young light and non-drinkers could be useful when thinking about how to change the prevailing drinking culture, but if we are to gauge and engage with the current culture of consumption then we need to understand all parts of it. This qualitative study of young people (aged 16–25) who drink little or no alcohol aimed to further understanding of their lives and choices. The results highlight that choosing not to drink or drink lightly is a positive choice made for diverse reasons with the strongest messages and influences coming from real-life observations. Young people develop strategies to manag...