Timing and purpose of the MRCGP examination.

There is increasing disquiet among course organizers about trainees who sit the MRCGP examination before completing vocational training. An alternative arrangement is proposed for trainees to undergo continuous assessment during vocational training with a more clinical end-point assessment than the current MRCGP examination. Career progression for general practitioners would then be available in the form of the MRCGP examination after a number of years in practice and the FRCGP by assessment at a later stage. It is suggested that the government might wish to reward evidence of a commitment to continuing education.