Imperial medics left at the bedside
A recently introduced job-matching scheme designed to allocate final year medical students hospital jobs has resulted in widespread outcry amongst student doctors. The MDAP (Multi-Deanery Application Process), a form-based allocation system, left 39 Imperial medical students jobless after the first round of applications and prompted senior doctors throughout the country to express their disapproval about the process. Eleven Imperial medics are currently without jobs after the second round of MDAP allocations.
A motion at the recent 2006 BMA Medical School Committee (MSC) Conference proposed to "recognise that London medical schools were misrepresented with regards to MDAP". After much discussion the motion failed to pass, leading to ICSM SU President Daniel McGuiness storming out of the conference in protest.
A passionate speech by McGuiness was not enough to tip the balance in favour of the motion, with BMA MSC Chair Kirsty Lloyd leading in the disagreements.
A survey published in the latest edition of Medical Student revealed that 69% of finalists were dissatisfied with the MDAP and that if 40.4% of London medical students knew they would not be guaranteed a job on qualifying, they would never have applied to the capital in the first place.
Topping the concerns of Imperial medics are worries about their prospects after graduation, with fears over finding a job in the London area and the lack of weight given to academic achievement.
Amy Mishra, a fourth year medical student, told Felix: "After six years of hard work at medical school and thousands of pounds invested by myself, to be left without a job at the end of it is a horrifying prospect. Knowing that one day I will be a practising doctor is what has got me through the toughest times at medical school. The fact this prospect is now uncertain makes me wonder just what I am doing here."
Hardik Patel, a final year, said, "Other medics didn't get into our medical school, so they should stop trying to muscle into our hospitals. Also, the Royal Free is known for its Emergency Medicine and they give preference to Barts students. Why can't Imperial hospitals do the same?"
The MSC Chair has maintained that she is aware of the difficulties students face at London schools and has stated that the BMA is applying pressure on the government to make sure the problems of this year do not happen again. In a letter to students, Ms. Young writes, "As I am sure you will appreciate, we are receiving polarised views from the student body. I am ensuring that all comments made to me personally or via representatives are being reported to MDAP and the postgraduate deans."
