Royal College of Psychiatrists
From Mmc
Friday, March 02, 2007
Modernising Medical Careers and the MTAS process
The College, its President, Dean and staff, have become acutely aware of the perceived problems with the MTAS process. We understand that there are similar problems in different parts of the country and across specialties. Some difficulties may be unique to particular deaneries and deanery processes. However, the short-listing results are causing real distress and some anger.
Since the commencement of the process, the College has informed trainers and applicants of its nature, the potential benefits and the possible pitfalls. We cannot, at this stage, know exactly whether the right or wrong people have been invited for interview until the interview process has finished. We must, therefore, proceed with first round interviews.
We will continue to make representations - at every opportunity and at every level - for an urgent review of the MTAS process so that the second round of applications is adjusted where necessary to take account of any short-comings in round one. We will also be able to inform trainees about the ratio of the number of vacancies and the number of applicants across specialties and deaneries so that they have a realistic appraisal of the situation for round two
The College would ask tutors and trainers to continue to support and assist those in difficulty, particularly those who unfortunately have found themselves not being short-listed by any of their four choices, so that they may maximise their chances of success in round two.
It is the view of the College that, as a consequence of the design of round one, there will be run-through as well as FTSTA opportunities remaining at the end of round one.
The MTAS team is seeking feedback from all parties and reviewing options for change as a matter of urgency. The College would like to receive documented evidence in order to make the appropriate representations. dbhugra@rcpsych.ac.uk
Furthermore we would like to draw your attention to the statement of the Royal College of Anaesthetists in this regard.
Finally, the College, its President and Dean, would wish to thank again those who have continued to work hard at a local level to make MTAS work for our specialty, its trainees and services.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
The mental health of trainee doctors: impact of the Medical Application Service
“I am very passionate about my vocation. I constantly receive positive feedback on my clinical skills, work ethic, professionalism and this has been reflected in my appraisals. Yet I have not been short-listed for an interview and I am not unique in this regard. I don’t know how many have been subjected to this application process. For many of us, it is now a reality that we have lost control of our future career progression, as well as the ability to independently maintain our personal lives. It seems that the option given to us boils down ‘take whatever is offered and be grateful because many may not be as fortunate’. However, we are accountable to our families, our children’s schools, our mortgages, and our community …”
A Senior House Officer (SHO) in Psychiatry, London Rotation, March 2007
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is extremely concerned at the impact the chaos related that the Medical Application Service process is having on the mental health of trainee doctors.
“The impact of potential unemployment and the uncertainty on the human rights and mental health of trainees, their partners and families cannot be under-estimated, said Professor Dinesh Bhugra, Dean of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
“The College can report instances where the technology for referees has not worked, despite repeated emails and calls to the helpdesk. For instance, referees have not been able to click answers which say ‘yes’ as to whether they would employ a particular trainee; they could only click ‘no’ in response to the question “would you employ this applicant?”.
“We are saddened to see that in some schemes only 6% of existing trainees have been short-listed, in spite of the fact that they had previously been interviewed and selected for the jobs they are doing, continued Professor Bhugra. The College was not consulted about the ratings for short-listing applicants.
“We are very concerned about the total lack of transparency in the short-listing process. If the process was fair and valid, then good trainees should have been short-listed across all Deaneries. The eligibility criteria are universal, therefore it is difficult to understand why trainees have been short-listed in one area, but not in another.
“We would like to support our trainees and encourage them to go with the process pending its urgent review. We are pushing hard to gather information on applicant/vacancy ratios, variations across Deaneries and feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
“We would encourage Modernising Medical Careers to select randomly a number of applicants, both successful and unsuccessful, to conduct an independent assessment of quality, concluded Professor Bhugra”
