Doctors' QualificationsMBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) Awarded by the University (of London) after a five year course of study involving two years' pure science and three years' clinical experience. Indicates a satisfactory understanding of anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology, sociology, psychology, medical statistics, pathology, medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry and therapeutics, sufficient to practice as a doctor. A further year of supervised work must be undertaken before a doctor can be fully registered with the General Medical Council. MRCSLRCP (Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians) Awarded by the conjoint board of both Royal Colleges. Involves a course of study and examinations similar in scope to the MBBS degree, but rather harder to obtain. Often taken by overseas graduates. MRCP (Membership of the Royal College of Physicians) Awarded by the College to qualified doctors who have worked for three years or more in hospital medicine. It indicates a level of knowledge in general medicine which is appropriate to a hospital specialist, determined by written, oral and clinical examinations. MRCGP (Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners) Awarded by the College to qualified doctors who have worked for at least three years after registration, at least one year of which must be in General Practice. It indicates a level of understanding, appropriate to a General Practitioner, of the whole range of subjects likely to be encountered in general practice. It is determined by written and oral examinations. BSc (Bachelor of Science) Awarded by the University (of London) after a three year course of study. Indicates a satisfactory level of understanding in a pure science subject for the award of an honours degree. DRCOG (Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology) Awarded by the Royal College to qualified doctors who have worked in a hospital obstetrics/gynaecology unit for a least six months and who have demonstrated an understanding of the subject, appropriate to a General Practitioner, by written and clinical examination. DFFP (Diploma of the Faculty of Family Planning) Awarded by the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Healthcare, part of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. DCH (Diploma of Child Health) Awarded by the Royal College of Physicians to qualified doctors who have worked for at least one year in hospital and community children's medicine and who have demonstrated an understanding of the subject, appropriate to a General Practitioner, by written and clinical examination. DGM (Diploma of Geriatric Medicine) Awarded by the Royal College of Physicians to qualified doctors who have worked for at least six months in the care of the elderly and who have demonstrated an understanding of the subject, appropriate to a General Practitioner, by written and clinical examination. AFOM (Associate of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine) Awarded by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, concerned with work-related health issues. |