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The overseas doctors training scheme

1999; BMJ; Volume: 318; Issue: 7176 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1136/bmj.318.7176.2

0959-8138

Ramesh C. Gupta, Lingam Amara Swapna,

Dental Education, Practice, Research

![][1] The overseas doctors training scheme (ODTS) was established in 1984 and the Overseas Doctors' Association was a major party in contributing to its conception. Overseas doctors are those who are not nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA) or do not hold a primary qualification obtained in the EEA. The scheme is run by the royal colleges, with support from the education department of the NHS Executive. We asked all the colleges in the United Kingdom about the scheme they administer, and the table shows the current position. The scheme has had a mixed reception since its inception: some have viewed it as useless and a backdoor entry to postgraduate medical training, while others regard it as a success with many fine achievements. Initially, the scheme was by a dual sponsorship programme run by individual consultants. The dual sponsorship scheme allowed a senior colleague (first sponsor) from overseas to arrange a training post with a consultant in Britain. The UK consultant becomes the second sponsor. With this recommendation the trainee doctor gets registration and a first training post in Britain. The colleges administered the scheme but usually did not place doctors in posts. Under the scheme each college assesses the applications of the overseas doctors who wish to come to Britain for further training. The doctors, who must still be abroad, apply directly to the relevant college. Most colleges have a waiting list. Doctors who have come to Britain for training or to sit the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test will usually not be allowed to enter the scheme. The same applies to doctors who have sat or have applied to sit the PLAB tests. On the recommendation of their referee (usually the consultant under whom they work) and on the basis of application and experience, doctors are … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif