International Comparison of Ten Medical Regulatory Systems

This study was commissioned by the UK General Medical Council (GMC) to provide an evidence base on the systems of medical regulation in place in the countries of origin of doctors seeking to enter the UK and obtain registration to practise. This evidence base can be utilised in developing policy and practice regarding overseas doctors who seek registration to practice within the UK. The assurance of quality of care and patient safety are important concerns for the GMC and (partly) depend on the regulation of the medical profession. As the core regulator of the doctors in the UK, the GMC seeks to understand how the regulation of medical professionals in other countries compares to medical regulation in the UK, and whether any differences could potentially affect quality of care and patient safety. Understanding these differences might also assist the GMC in developing specific policies to facilitate the smooth transition of non-UK trained medical professionals into the UK medical system and easier adjustment into a new medical regulatory regime. The countries selected for analysis by the GMC are the countries of origin of the ten largest groups of non-UK qualified doctors registered in the UK: Egypt, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, South Africa and Spain. Medical professionals from these countries represent the largest groups of non-UK qualified doctors registered with the GMC.