Re: Jackson et al. – Medical education: Time to go back to school

Dear Sir

I read with interest the recent publication by Jackson (2012), which described the exaggerated emphasis on research relative to teaching, leadership and management when it comes to the way we assess the quality of a doctor in job interviews. In principle, I thoroughly agree with the comments made in this article; however, I would add that if this exaggerated emphasis on research is to be altered then one must analyse this problem in more detail starting with the practicality of formally assessing the quality of doctors in respect to these named attributes.

The emphasis on research stems from the intrinsic fact that many other necessary attributes of a successful doctor (e.g. teaching, leadership and management) do not have the ability to be quantifiable. Research can be measured by conferences and publications and a hard value can be put to each candidate's name – this allows for segregation of candidates by an objective method. Qualities that are vital to the medical profession such as teaching, leadership and management are not easily quantified, particularly not in an objective manner. For example and in respect to teaching, can we segregate an F2 doctor who teaches F1s regularly versus an F2 who regularly teaches medical students? Does one deserve more merit than the other? Much of the assessment of these characteristics will be subjective and susceptible to bias.

Quantification is a critical reason why final-year medical students applying for F1 jobs are now to write a situational judgement test rather than ‘white space questions’, where personal experiences in teaching, leadership and management would have been assessed (ISFP 2012). Conferences and publications still award students with additional application points.

I believe the contribution by Philippa Jackson to Medical Teacher should be commended as it does highlight an important issue. Perhaps it is time to start considering the objective methods of measuring these other vital qualities of a doctor so that the rightful changes can be made.