----- Original Message -----
From: "John Ryan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 11:00 PM
Subject: ST Interviews
<Are people happy with the new format of selecting run through trainees at
ST2/3 level ? Will it identify the best candidates ? Is the new selection
process grounded on an evidence base ?>
Are you kidding? I gather you're not up to speed with the wave of negative
press from both juniors and seniors on this matter, culminating in the whole
process almost grinding to a complete standstill last week. Check out
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/16/nmarch116.xml
for a start.
There is anger among both juniors and seniors that much of the selection is
based on candidates' ability to answer fairly "soft" questions on their
strengths, weaknesses and attributes etc, with no clear way of validating
these responses, while at the same time there is insufficient weighting
towards more objective criteria, including examinations success or prior
experience.
Of course, "soft" discriminators have always played a part in the
traditional interview process, but when shortlisting is conducted in this
manner then the system is open to blatant abuse by those doctors who can
bullshit the best.
We'll see what the next few months bring about, but in the meantime watch
this space...
AF
|