title: A training course for the UEB examination. The case for retaining an examination for overseas doctors excluded from practising in the UK.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some overseas medical graduates choose to take the United Examining Board (UEB) examination to achieve UK registration; others have no other option. We have devised a course for overseas doctors who wish to re-qualify via this route. THE COURSE: Eighteen doctors enrolled during 1995-1997; all passed the UEB examination. Regular formative assessment allowed us to identify students adequately prepared to pass the examination. The main predictor of examination outcome was performance in a mock examination. Gender, residential status and interval since original qualification were not predictive. The eight doctors whose primary medical course was conducted in a language other than English did not seem to be disadvantaged.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Successful examinees obtained pre-registration house officer posts without delay; one has since passed the full MRCP (UK) and another MRCP Part I. All but one of the intend to pursue their medical careers in the UK.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After a structured course (average 9.5 months) at this medical school, selected overseas doctors can reach a standard appropriate to a UK primary qualifying examination. These findings have implications for overseas doctors living here and not practising, as well as for those concerned with expanding the UK medical workforce.
authors.affiliation: St George's Hospital Medical School, London. jbeastwood@compuserve.com
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Eastwood
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Fiennes
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Cappuccio
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Maxwell
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005550:Foreign Medical Graduates; D006801:Humans; D008007:Licensure, Medical; D006113:United Kingdom