Black and minority ethnic (BME) medical graduates are less likely to succeed than their white counterparts, according to research by the General Medical Council (GMC). Analysing exams and recruitment data, the GMC found graduates from ethnic minorities performed less well in exams, with those who gained their primary qualification outside Europe even less likely to do well. They also face barriers progressing in their careers, the research found. The average medical exam pass rate is 71 per cent across the UK, but falls to 63.2 among ethnic minorities. The figures were caused by “unconscious bias” in assessments, recruitment and day-to-day working, including those stemming from language barriers, the GMC said.
