Improving medical standards worldwide

Our work spans high, middle, and low-income countries, ranging from accreditation work and guideline development in the Middle East to delivery of clinical skills workshops in rural East Africa. We develop and coordinate the globally-recognised MRCP(UK) exams as part of the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, and deliver a wide range of projects aimed at strengthening health systems and improving medical standards across the globe.

Our work is vital in maintaining high standards of education, training and professionalism for postgraduate physicians, but our presence in a particular country will sometimes raise important questions. It does not mean that we endorse the actions of any government, or that we do not condemn human rights violations, but rather that any concerns are outweighed by the potential benefits of improving medical care and health which is our core mission.

Wherever we work around the world, we are there to support the doctors and people of the country not their rulers. The safety of all of those involved in delivering international work is an important consideration. 

The Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK runs examinations for some 25,000 doctors in over 100 countries, on behalf of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and us here at RCP. If an exam diet cannot proceed due to security concerns, the Federation will attempt to minimise the impact on candidates by increasing capacity in nearby countries.