The General Medical Council (GMC) Explained: Key Facts for Medical School Interviews
If you are preparing for Medical School Interviews it’s important to understand the organisations involved in the regulation of healthcare professionals.
Being able to discuss the key organisations influencing UK healthcare, such as the General Medical Council (GMC) demonstrates your commitment to understanding the role of a doctor.
In this comprehensive guide, you will find everything you need to know about the GMC as an organisation, for example, medicine interview questions and model answers.
The GMC – What Do I Need To Know?
Our handy list summarises everything that you should know about the GMC:
Role of the GMC: The GMC regulates doctors, physician associates and anaesthetic associates in the UK to ensure safe, effective, and ethical patient care.
Good Medical Practice Guidelines: Good Medical Practice is a document created by the GMC which sets professional standards, emphasising patient safety, consent, confidentiality, and professionalism. It was recently updated in 2024 to address new challenges like workplace discrimination and equality.
Impact on Medical Students: The GMC regulates education to ensure that students acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to work as doctors.
Fitness to Practise (FTP): The GMC investigates concerns about a doctor’s ability to practice safely and effectively.
Key Ethical Principles: Confidentiality, informed consent, and patient autonomy guide GMC standards. These ethics principles are often included in medical school interview questions.
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The General Medical Council – What Is it & Who Does It Register?
The General Medical Council (GMC) is an independent regulatory body ensuring that medical professionals maintain high standards of clinical practice. The GMC sets these standards to maintain consistent, safe patient care in the UK.
The principles guiding the GMC are based on the Medical Act 1983.
In December 2024, the GMC started to regulate anaesthetic associate roles and physician associates.
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The GMC – What Does it Do For Doctors, Physician Associates and Anaesthesia Associates?
The General Medical Council has a number of roles in managing doctors and other medical professionals.
Registration: Doctors, physician associates and anaesthetic associates must register with the GMC to practice legally in the UK.
The GMC sets Professional Standards: In Good Medical Practice, the GMC describes the professional and ethical standards that doctors working in the UK must apply in clinical practice.
Overseeing Medical Education and Training: The GMC standardises medical education and training, by outlining the knowledge and skills students in the UK must have to become safe, qualified and well-rounded doctors.
Management of Fitness to Practice cases: ‘Fitness to practise’ refers to the responsibility of the GMC to assess a doctor’s ability to practice safely and effectively.
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The GMC – Who Makes Up The General Medical Council?
The General Medical Council is an organisation formed from a combination of groups, allocated different roles:
The Council: Comprising 12 members with both medical and non-medical backgrounds, the GMC’s council promotes diversity of opinion. The Council is led by a current chair, Professor Dame Carrie MacEwen.
Executive board: Includes the Chief Executive and senior managers, handling daily operations.
GMC associates: Over 1,000 external associates work to support the GMC during quality assurance visits, registration panels, and various examinations, such as PLAB. These are non-clinical staff.
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The GMC - Why Is It Important for Aspiring Medical Students?
Medical students are held to the same standards as doctors, meaning the GMC regulates standards from an early stage.
For instance, in medical school, you will be expected to abide by and be aware of the principles set out in the GMC document: Good Medical Practice.
Below are some of the key ways that the GMC impacts medical students:
The GMC Shapes Medical Education:
The GMC has a key role in regulating education at medical schools, ensuring that students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to deliver safe patient care.
This includes assessment of medical school curricula and decisions over which organisations can award medical degrees.
The GMC Maintains Public Trust in Healthcare:
As an external body, the GMC can investigate and regulate healthcare professionals if there is a suspected violation of the GMC Good Medical Practice guidelines.
By holding doctors and medical students accountable for their actions, the GMC maintains public trust in the UK healthcare system.
Being a Medical Student means that your actions should abide by guidelines from the beginning of medical school, during placement and otherwise.
The GMCs Vital Document: Good Medical Practice:
Knowledge of the regulations set out in Good Medical Practice is helpful during your medical school interview, as it contains information about ethics, patient-centred care, communication skills, confidentiality and consent!
What is the GMC’s Good Medical Practice?
The GMC’s Good Medical Practice describes the ethical and professional standards for doctors and other medical professionals practising in the UK.
Good Medical Practice describes situations that doctors may encounter and their expected behaviour concerning:
Patient safety
Candour
Good Medical Practice has recently undergone an update, after being first produced by the GMC in 2013. The changes made in 2024 reflect the GMCs commitment to improving the modern NHS work environment, in terms of respect, patient-centred care, tackling discrimination and supporting continuity of care.
👉🏻 Read more: New Good Medical Practice 2024 – Summary of Changes
Roles of the GMC: What is A Fitness To Practise Investigation?
The GMC is responsible for investigating concerns about whether a doctor is ‘fit to practice’ medicine, holding healthcare professionals accountable for their actions.
The GMC considers a doctor’s rights during the investigation, as well as a duty to protect patients. However, this has been brought into dispute in recent years due to the rising number of doctor suicides whilst under GMC investigation.
A Fitness to Practise Investigation (FTP) is a multi-step process, ensuring that there is clarity, accountability and efficiency for the doctors and patients impacted.
Fitness To Practise: What Triggers An Investigation?
Multiple factors can trigger an FTP, including:
Concerns raised by patients, colleagues or other healthcare professionals.
GMC revalidation issues
Unprofessional behaviour, lack of competence, or health-related problems.
Unsafe medical practice
Behaviour which brings the medical profession into disrepute.
Once concerns are recognised by the GMC, the multi-step process of investigation begins.
FTP: The Initial Assessment
Initially, the GMC assesses whether a reported concern falls within its jurisdiction and warrants further investigation.
FTP: Starting the Investigation Process
Medical records, witness statements and assessments of a doctor’s health are obtained to provide thorough evidence for investigation.
FTP: Decision and Outcome
There are various decision outcomes that can come from a fitness-to-practice investigation:
No serious concerns: The GMC may find no issues, leading to the case being closed without further action.
Minor concerns: The GMC can issue a warning or require a doctor to undergo retraining in certain circumstances.
Serious concerns: The GMC may refer a doctor for a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) hearing.
The MPTS conducts hearings to determine whether a doctor’s fitness to practice is impaired, leading to outcomes such as 1) restrictions on practice, 2) suspension or 3) removal from the GMC register
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Real-World Examples of GMC Interventions and Case Studies
Here are some examples of where the GMC has taken action due to a violation of its principles.
Role of the GMC: The Yaser Jabbar case:
A paediatric orthopaedic surgeon, Yaser Jabber was suspended by the GMC for his role in several unnecessary, potentially dangerous limb lengthening surgeries performed on children in Great Ormond Street Hospital.
After the GMC was made aware of the report findings conducted by GOSH, they imposed restrictions on Yaser Jabbar, preventing him from practising without ‘strict supervision’.
Swift action was taken against Jabbar, showing the emphasis that the GMC places on patient safety and quality of professional care. The GMC ensures that doctors are not exempt from the consequences of their actions and act in the best interests of their patients, as they are able to easily influence health outcomes.
Want to read more about the Yaser Jabbar case?
GMC leads Mental Health Support for Medical Students:
A medical student faced professionalism concerns due to missed teaching sessions linked to untreated depression.
The GMC encouraged occupational health support and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), leading the university to offer additional academic support and support a return to studies.
The take-home message from this case relates to the GMC’s focus on student welfare, confidentiality, and adjustments to support future doctors.
You can read more case studies about where the GMC have intervened with a medical student at this link.
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Controversies Surrounding the GMC
The General Medical Council (GMC) has faced several controversies over the years, which have sparked criticism from healthcare professionals and organisations.
Disproportionate Impact on Ethnic Minorities:
It is argued that ethnic minority doctors are disproportionately referred for fitness-to-practice investigations, contributing to perceptions of institutional bias.
Despite the GMC's own research indicating no conclusive evidence of bias, concerns about inequitable treatment persist among medical professionals.
Handling of Fitness-to-Practise Cases:
The GMC has been accused of taking excessively harsh measures in some fitness-to-practice cases, leading to severe mental and physical impact among investigated doctors.
These incidents have led to calls for more compassionate and supportive regulatory processes.
Criticism of Merging Regulation:
The British Medical Association (BMA) has opposed the GMC’s role in regulating physician associates and anaesthesia associates, fearing this could blur the lines between different professional roles and negatively affect patient care.
This is a major NHS hot topic for 2024 and 2025.
The GMC: Important Ethical Considerations
In creating ethical guidelines for doctors, the GMC uses fundamental ethical principles, such as the 4 pillars of Medical Ethics, confidentiality and consent.
Here are a few examples of how the GMC uphold the ethical principles.
The GMC Promotes Confidentiality
The GMC requires that doctors maintain patient confidentiality through strict guidelines.
Confidentiality is rarely breached, to preserve patient trust, and is only broken if a doctor deems that a patient is at risk of harming themselves or someone else.
The GMC Aims To Ensure Justice
Regardless of age, ethnicity or gender, the GMC ensures that patients are treated fairly – advocating for those in more vulnerable populations.
Raising Concerns through the GMC: It is required that doctors report unsafe practices caused by colleagues, adhering to the GMC Duty of Candour.
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How To Answer Interview Questions about the GMC:
Interview questions about the GMC often revolve around key issues like confidentiality, duty of candour, and consent. These questions may seem daunting, but remember that with a structured and comprehensive approach, you will be able to answer these questions easily!
Below are some tips to help you recognise and tackle difficult questions about the GMC.
When approaching an ethical question like this, it is important to take a step back and understand that there is no direct answer. Instead, consider a multi-step approach, using a structure like SEARCH to develop your answer.
What is SEARCH?
SEARCH is a key structure that guides your answers during ethical, communication and role-playing stations:
SEARCH
Seek information
Empathy
Action
Response
Consequences
Harm
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Example Model Question and Answer utilising the SEARCH framework:
Below is a model question and answer inspired by the principles outlined in Good Medical Practice for you to test your understanding of the professional standards and ethical responsibilities demanded of doctors today.
"You notice a colleague drinking alcohol during their hospital shift. They seem normal and have been interacting with patients throughout the day. What would you do?"
My initial response to this scenario would be to recognise the severity of the issue at hand. I would first determine whether my suspicion is true and whether my colleague has in fact been drinking alcohol in the hospital. (Seek Information) After confirming this, I would acknowledge the serious risks they pose to delivering safe patient care. Despite my colleague seeming ‘normal’, it is vital that I recognise how they are violating GMC guidelines, as ‘Doctors must not allow their personal behaviour to compromise patient care’.
I would take action to prevent further interaction between my colleague and any patients under their care, due to the risk they pose to patient safety and public trust while drinking alcohol. (Harm) To ensure that they do not continue their duties, I would escalate the situation by informing a senior staff member immediately, with the knowledge of my colleague. (Action) Being empathetic towards my colleague is important, as several factors could have contributed to their consumption of alcohol, and I may be able to offer them support. (Empathy) However, my immediate concern in this situation is patient safety.
In line with the GMC guidance surrounding confidentiality and professionalism, I would handle the matter discreetly, avoiding confrontation or public exposure. In this conversation, I would make sure to highlight that drinking during a hospital shift causes a significant risk to patient safety and can have damaging consequences. (Consequences) It is vital to emphasise to my colleague that any action I take is not punitive but intended to ensure patient safety.
On reflection, my colleague’s behaviour could indicate underlying issues, such as stress, or alcohol dependence. It would be important to prevent this situation from happening in the future or becoming a habit. I would suggest avenues of support, such as occupational health services, or counselling. (Response)
This structured approach demonstrates ethical reasoning, awareness of GMC guidelines, and a balanced approach to addressing challenges in professional practice. Aspiring medical students should practice articulating these responses clearly, ensuring alignment with GMC principles and medical professionalism.
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GMC Practice Interview Questions
Have a go at answering some practice interview questions on the GMC:
What would you do if you noticed a colleague breaking patient confidentiality by discussing a patient's diagnosis and treatment loudly in the hospital corridor?
A patient refuses life-saving treatment, and their decision is against medical advice. They have capacity. How would you handle this as a doctor?
You notice that your colleague appears to be struggling emotionally, and keeps making mistakes whilst prescribing medication. What would you do?
A patient requests access to their medical records, but your colleague asks you to remove the last ward round entry, in which they had documented that the patient was "unpleasant" and "un-cooperative".
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The General Medical Council: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the General Medical Council (GMC)?
The GMC is the independent regulatory body for doctors, physician associates and anaesthesia associates in the UK, ensuring high medical care and professionalism standards.
2. What does the GMC's Good Medical Practice document cover?
This document outlines professional standards for doctors, including ethical practices, patient care, and doctor-patient communication.
3. Why do doctors need to register with the GMC?
Registration with the GMC is mandatory for doctors to practice medicine legally in the UK and ensures compliance with professional standards.
4. How does the GMC regulate medical education?
The GMC oversees medical schools, ensuring that curricula meet required standards for knowledge, skills, and ethical conduct.
5. What is a Fitness to Practise investigation?
This is a process to assess whether a doctor can practice safely and effectively, addressing concerns such as unprofessional behaviour or health issues.
6. What actions can the GMC take during Fitness to Practise cases?
Outcomes may include no action, issuing warnings, requiring retraining, imposing restrictions, or referring the case to a Medical Practitioners Tribunal.
7. Who forms the GMC, and how is it structured?
The GMC consists of a council of medical and non-medical members, an executive board, and over 1,000 associates who manage operations, inspections, and examinations. They work with doctors to ensure safe medical practice.
8. What are examples of GMC interventions?
Notable cases include suspensions for unethical surgeries and support for struggling medical students, demonstrating the GMC's focus on safety and welfare.
9. What controversies surround the GMC?
Issues include perceived bias in Fitness to Practise cases involving ethnic minority doctors and criticisms of its regulatory processes.
10. How does the GMC support ethical reasoning for medical students?
The GMC provides guidance on consent, confidentiality, and patient safety, helping medical, PAs and AAs students develop skills needed for medical school interviews and clinical practice.
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