Psychiatric Bulletin (2003) 27: 116. doi: 10.1192/pb.27.3.116
© 2003 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2003) 27: 116
© 2003 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Points in response to letter from Dr Lucas
O. A. Oyebode, Professor, Chief Examiner
In allocating candidates to clinical centres, the criteria are that they
are not sent to a centre where they have previously worked, where they are
currently working or where they have been examined before.
The College is dependent upon the centres which volunteer their resources
to accommodating the clinical examinations and although, geographically, these
are spread as widely as possible it inevitably can mean that candidates are
required to travel to a centre that meets the allocation criteria. Candidates
are made aware of this when entering for the examination.
These criteria were put in place and continue to be operated in the best
interests of the candidates. In implementing them, the aim is to ensure that
all candidates have an equal chance in the assessment, and that no one could
construe that they have been either advantaged or disadvantaged by having had
previous contact with the patients with whom they will be presented during the
clinical examination.
Every effort is made to allow candidates sufficient time to make their
travel plans to the clinical centre to which they have been allocated. The
minimum time which candidates will have to arrange their travel and, if
necessary, accommodation is 2 weeks.