Abstract
Introduction
The Intercollegiate Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS, Parts A and B) is designed to safeguard patients and ensure high standards for trainees wishing to pursue a surgical career. We investigated which factors predict Part A and B success.
Methods
UK graduates who had attempted both parts of MRCS from September 2007 to February 2016 were included. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine the linear relationship between each part of MRCS and logistic regression analysis to identify potential independent predictors of MRCS pass/fail outcome.
Results
A positive correlation between Part A and B score was identified (r = 0.41, P < 0.01). In Part A, males had higher pass rates than females (odds ratio, OR, 2.78, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.83–4.19), white candidates were more likely to pass than black minority and ethnic doctors (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.52–1.89), foundation year 1 doctors had higher pass rates than all other grades (e.g. core surgical year 2 trainees vs. foundation year 1 doctors, OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.32–0.77) and younger graduates were more likely to pass than older graduates (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.81–3.63). In addition to ethnicity and stage of training, Part A performance (number of attempts and score) was an independent predictor for Part B.
Conclusions
Part A performance is related to Part B score. Many independent predictors of MRCS success were identified, but only stage of training and ethnicity were found to be common predictors of both parts. This article summarises the findings of our most recent MRCS study which was published in The Surgeon (online) in October 2017.1
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 424-427 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England |
Volume | 100 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 1 Apr 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2018 |
Bibliographical note
The author would like to acknowledge Iain Targett at the Royal College of Surgeons of England for his help with data collection and both Lee Smith and Gregory Ayre from the Intercollegiate Committee for Basic Surgical Examinations for their support during this project.This paper was presented to the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland 2017 International Surgical Congress, Glasgow, UK, May 2017.
Sources of financial support include Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.
Keywords
- MRCS
- Postgraduate examinations
- Surgery
- Validity
- Predictors