SearchGo Search

Become a member of the MRCP(UK) Specialty Question Groups

History of Specialty Question Groups

The Royal Colleges of Physicians established the MRCP(UK) Specialty Question Groups (SQGs) in 1999 in order to generate sufficient questions for the MRCP(UK) Part 1 and Part 2 Written Examinations. The demand for questions has increased over the last few years, and the MRCP(UK) Central Office is always looking to recruit additional question writers.

How to become a Question Writer 

Eligibility

If you are interested in becoming a question writer you must:

  • be a Fellow or Member of one of the Royal Colleges (consultants or specialty registrars)
  • be practising in some aspect of clinical medicine, either with a sub-specialty or area of interest relevant to a specific SQG, or in Acute/Emergency Medicine
  • have had involvement during the past two years with the supervision of trainees whose knowledge is representative of MRCP(UK) trainees
  • be up-to-date with your employer’s equality and diversity training, and appraisal process.

Application

To apply please submit a brief outline of your professional activity, together with a resumé of your interest and experience in medical education, to the Chairman of the MRCP(UK) SQGs, Dr Charles Twort, at the address below:

c/o Kate Beaumont
MRCP(UK) Central Office
11 St Andrews Place
London NWI 4LE
Tel: 020 3075 1324
Email: mrcpsqgquestions@mrcpuk.org

If you are successful you will be expected to attend a one-day training session in London, after which you will be invited to attend an MRCP(UK) SQG meeting.

All personal expenses to cover the costs of attending SQG meetings will be met by the Colleges (in line with the Federation expenses policy).

Members will be entitled to claim external CPD credits for attendance. Meetings are also a valuable opportunity for physicians to update their knowledge and to interact with other physicians from all parts of the country.

Responsibilities of an SQG member

Each SQG comprises up to 12 members of the specialty concerned. SQG members are responsible for writing new questions which are  discussed at two-day meetings of all the specialties. SQGs are held twice yearly, in May and November, in Warwick.

Appointment to membership of the SQGs is normally for five years, subject to satisfactory performance during a probationary year, but is potentially renewable. It is a condition of appointment that members of the SQG are available for the twice-yearly meetings, and undertake to draft the required number of questions on selected topics in advance of each meeting.

There are currently 16 SQGs:

  • Cardiology
  • Clinical haematology
  • Medical oncology and palliative medicine
  • Clinical pharmacology, therapeutics and toxicology
  • Clinical science (molecular medicine, genetics, anatomy, physiology, immunology and statistics)
  • Dermatology
  • Endocrinology and metabolic medicine
  • Gastroenterology
  • Geriatric medicine
  • Infectious diseases, venereology and tropical medicine
  • Nephrology
  • Neurology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Psychiatry
  • Respiratory medicine
  • Rheumatology

For more details please download the Duties and Responsibilities document:

 Responsibilities and Duties of a Member of the MRCP(UK) SQG