BMJ : British medical journal
-
The impact on hospital resources of variability in referral rates among general practitioners was of concern throughout the 1980s. The overall number of patients referred to outpatient clinics, however, has increased only slowly since the NHS began; in contrast, the number of new outpatients seen by each hospital consultant has declined appreciably. Ironically, despite this decline, further increasing the number of consultants in now being presented as a solution to the demand for outreach clinics in general practice.
-
To assess whether people from ethnic minority groups are less likely to be accepted at British medical schools, and to explore the mechanisms of disadvantage. ⋯ People from ethnic minority groups applying to medical school are disadvantaged, principally because ethnic origin is assessed from a candidate's surname; the disadvantage has diminished since 1986. For subjects applying before A level the mechanism is that less credit is given to referees' estimates of A level grades. Selection would be fairer if (a) application forms were anonymous; (b) forms did not include estimates of A level grades; and (c) selection took place after A level results are known.
-
To determine whether employers follow BMA guidelines on advertisements when advertising for junior doctors. ⋯ Advertisements for junior doctors in the BMJ do not comply with BMA guidelines and often contain little useful information for potential applicants.