I have been an examiner for the MRCPsych Part I examination for several years now. However, I am now in an unfortunate situation and having to consider my position as an examiner due to the fact that my employing Trust has decided to consider my leave during the examination as study leave.

The College has introduced objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) in its Part I examination, and requires examiners who have gained experience in OSCEs conducted by the College. The problem is that there is only one centre for this examination, this being in London. The examinations are conducted over a period of 3 days, using 12 stations per candidate. The exam goes through some 45 or more candidates in a single day. Some examiners examine on all three days and some less.

The second such examination will take place in October this year, and the College is already finding it difficult to find examiners experienced in OSCEs.

In my opinion, employing authorities that consider their consultant going off to examine in London as having a leisurely walk in Hyde Park, are grossly deluded. Moreover, the examiner does not get any continuing professional development points for these days, which are merely considered as study leave by the employing authority. Neither does the employing authority’s stance allow the examiner to attend the annual Examiners’ Committee Meeting in London.

The views of existing examiners and of those aspiring examiners, many of whom I am sure are in a similar situation to mine, would be interesting to hear.