Medical education
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To assess the views of the general public and general practitioners (GPs) on the General Medical Council's Good Medical Practice. ⋯ GPs and the general public have similar views on good medical practice, although the degree of concern shown by the public is greater than that registered by doctors. Both groups show similar patterns of variation in their perception of the importance of some duties compared with others.
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From July 1997, the General Medical Council (GMC) has had the power to investigate doctors whose performance is considered to be seriously deficient. Assessment procedures have been developed for all medical specialties to include peer review of performance in practice and tests of competence. Peer review is conducted by teams of at least two medical assessors and one lay assessor. ⋯ High fidelity is achieved through the use of actors who simulate third party interviewees and trained doctors who role play the assessee. A subgroup of assessors, selected to lead the assessment teams, undergo training in handling group dynamics, report writing and in defending the assessment report against legal challenge. Debriefing of assessors following real assessments has been strongly positive with regard to their preparedness and confidence in undertaking the assessment.