The Royal College of Physicians' Student and Foundation Doctor Network (SFDN) has written to Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England (NHSE), to voice significant concerns about the potential introduction of the multi-specialty recruitment assessment (MSRA) into the internal medicine training (IMT) recruitment process.
In a private letter, foundation and student doctor members of the RCP have highlighted the urgent need to improve IMT recruitment processes due to rising applicant numbers and increased competition ratios. However, the SFDN does not think introducing the MSRA is the right solution – they are concerned that the MSRA would:
- lack clinical and specialty relevance to internal medicine
- undermine broader professional development
- disadvantage certain groups, including foundation year 2 doctors
- lack transparency and wouldn’t allow for candidate feedback
- be process-driven rather than improvement-focused.
Seán Coghlan, chair of the SFDN, said: "We fully support the need to improve recruitment processes, but it is vital that any changes maintain the integrity and fairness of internal medicine training selection. We believe any reforms must be evidence-based, clinically relevant, and developed in consultation with those most affected. Any changes must support and empower foundation doctors and wider UK medical graduates in accessing further postgraduate training places, addressing the impending crisis of UK doctors unable to find jobs."
The SFDN has called for a comprehensive, evidence-based review of IMT recruitment and greater engagement with resident doctors, trainers and other NHS staff. They have also called on NHSE to explore alternative solutions that promote fairness and clinical relevance.