Specialty KBAs

The Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK, in association with the Specialist Societies, has embarked upon a programme to deliver knowledge based assessments (KBAs) within the new specialist training structure. The aim of these national assessments, which will compliment workplace-based assessments, is to ensure that trainees have sufficient knowledge of their specialty to practice safely and competently as consultants.

In spring 2006, the Joint Committee on Higher Medical Training carried out a pilot study to assess the validity and reliability of KBAs. Following the success of this pilot, development of KBAs has taken place under the aegis of the MRCP(UK) Central Office and the first KBA, the KBA in Gastroenterology, will be delivered in June 2008.

KBAs in the following specialties are being developed and will be rolled out from autumn 2008 onwards:

• Acute Medicine
• Cardiology
• Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics
• Dermatology
• Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus
• Geriatric Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Oncology
• Neurology
• Renal Medicine
• Respiratory Medicine
• Rheumatology

If you would like to be included on the mailing list for further updates about Specialty KBAs, please send your e-mail address to kba.queries@mrcpuk.org