We rely upon the voluntary support of Fellows and Collegiate Members of the College to support our examinations
The MRCP(UK) is a highly regarded international benchmark of clinical excellence and relies heavily upon the voluntary support of Fellows and Members of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK (Edinburgh, Glasgow and London) in examining to ensure its delivery. PACES is an integral part of UK medical training and helps to ensure that trainees meet the highest standard of patient care.
Examiners are experienced clinicians who are responsible for assessing candidates undergoing the Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills (PACES) component of the MRCP(UK) examination. Examining offers an opportunity to earn external CPD points, develop skills as a assessor and share best practice with other physicians.
Benefits include:
PACES examining is accepted by participating examiners as an excellent source of CPD
Most UK Health Boards and NHS Trusts recognise it as a supporting professional activity for consultant staff
"Examining can conjure up different ideas and perceptions to different individuals and does not in a word convey the professional opportunities which it provides.
As a new consultant with a young family, I frequently have to juggle my professional and personal commitments and may not fit many doctors’ idea of a stereotypical examiner. The time commitment, of 3 days over a year, is easy enough and provides great professional value in return. Examining is an excellent way of obtaining good general medical CPD, provides excellent networking opportunities (especially for relatively new consultants), is intellectually stimulating and also surprisingly enjoyable.
In addition to providing personal and professional value it also enables me to contribute to the maintenance of professionally-led examinations and medical standards. This is something I am passionate about and believe is in all of our interests.
If you have not previously considered examining, I would encourage you to do so. You may be pleasantly surprised."
Dr Adamson, Elected Member – Recently Appointed Consultant Council, and Diabetes and Endocrinology Consultant
PACES Examiner Criteria
Hold MRCP(UK) (desirable). (UK only) Be a Collegiate Member or Fellow in good standing of one of the Royal College of Physicians of the UK. (Non-UK only) Hold Fellowship of one of the UK colleges of physicians and be in good standing. Be GMC registered with a licence to practise and in good standing (or regulatory equivalent in country of practice). Have been involved with physicians in training within the last two years. (UK only) Participate in revalidation, including annual appraisal in current post, and adhere to CPD requirements. (UK only) Have undergone equality and diversity training within the past three years. Be interested in, but not necessarily expert in, medical assessment. Be a Collegiate Members who has achieved the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be on the specialist register, and be in a substantive consultant post.
Commit to examine at least 6 cycles (30 candidates) per annum (averaged over 2 years), i.e. a minimum of 2/3 days examining per year.
For more information on the criteria and required commitments for appointment as a UK PACES Examiner, please contact us at: edinburghexaminers@rcpe.ac.uk
To apply to become a UK PACES examiner, please complete and submit our online UK PACES Examiner Application Form.
