MPS responds to proposals by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and the GMC for a new ‘generic professional capabilities framework’
Post date: 30/09/2015 | Time to read article: 1 minsThe information within this article was correct at the time of publishing. Last updated 18/05/2020
The generic professional capabilities dealt with in the ten domains of this framework are all important. In our response, MPS particularly noted the reference to ‘emotional resilience’ in Domain 1 of the proposed framework. Emotional resilience is a valuable attribute for any doctor. Being a doctor is not only physically and intellectually demanding, but also emotionally challenging. Doctors have to make difficult decisions daily. A recent survey of MPS members showed that 85% had experienced mental health issues, with common issues being stress (75%) and anxiety (59%). A third of respondents (32%) had depression during their medical career, while one in 10 (13%) stated they had experienced suicidal feelings.
Giving medical students the tools to deal with the emotional pressures and difficulties of clinical practice can help prepare them for a challenging but rewarding career. However, in the context of this proposed framework, it is important for the General Medical Council (GMC) to define meant by emotional resilience, as a generic capability. It is also important to set out how this would be both taught and assessed objectively and consistently. MPS is also concerned that the framework is both too comprehensive and detailed, while also lacking clarity. We cover these concerns in response to the consultation questions below but fundamentally, MPS questions the need for this separate framework, when the capabilities it encompasses are already dealt with at length in existing GMC guidance.
