Station 1: Why Train Examiners?

Examiner training increases the reliability of the assessment. This is key in the process of ensuring all candidates meet the criteria to progress safely to the next stage of their training.Without examiners we have no exams! Examiners are a crucial fundamental resource to the medical schools. In the General Medical Council (GMC) report, Tomorrow’s Doctors (2009) they state that “Examiners must be trained to carry out their role and to apply the medical school’s assessment criteria consistently.”1

Examiner training increases the reliability of the assessment. This is key in the process of ensuring all candidates meet the criteria to progress safely to the next stage of their training. Therefore, we have not only a professional duty to our patients but to the quality assurance of our future doctors.

1. General Medical Council. Tomorrow’s doctors: outcomes and standards for undergraduate medical education. 2nd ed. London: General Medical Council; 2009.