Doctors who train abroad still face discrimination in NHS award scheme UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 16 Apr 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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Discrimination against women and ethnic minority doctors in the NHS award scheme has decreased in recent years, but doctors who train abroad are still under-represented, according to new research.

This study will be available on bmj.com on Friday 16 April 2004.

The distinction award scheme was established at the inception of the NHS to recognise high achieving consultants. However, there have been concerns that the award system may discriminate against women, ethnic minorities, and particular fields of medicine.

Researchers identified all consultants in England and Wales who had been appointed up to 31 December 2001. Details of award status at the end of 2002 and country of training were recorded.

In the past, awards were less likely to be held by women, non-white consultants, and by doctors trained abroad. These differences diminished substantially after taking into account time spent as a consultant, but some under-representation remained.

Recent awards showed no under-representation of women and no appreciable under-representation of British trained ethnic minority doctors. However, both white and non-white doctors who had trained abroad remained under-represented at all levels of award.

Under-representation seems therefore to be a function of place of basic medical training rather than ethnicity, say the authors.

Recently, the award system has undergone major reorganisation and new clinical excellence awards will begin in 2004, they add. The aim is to provide all consultants with equal access and equal opportunities in a fair and transparent system.

Contact:
Prof. Michael Goldacre, Professor of Public Health, UK Medical Careers Research

To read the full article go to:
(Characteristics of consultants who hold distinction awards in England and Wales: database analysis with particular reference to sex and ethnicity)
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/reprint/bmj.38062.639190.44

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