Thread by @chrisol1

I'm receiving some concern from trainees @rcpsychTrainees and consultants @rcpsych about the proposed changes to use of #RCPsych in titles ("postnominals"), & accessibility of #AGM at #RCPsychIC. Information not easy to find so let me try to describe (Conflict of Int: FRCPsych)

Currently "MRCPsych" aka membership is used by doctors who have passed College #exams, and FRCPsych used by Fellows -essentially more senior members. These are the only 2 postnominals and have some other conditions. There are other ways of associating with the RCPsych though...

Specialist Associates @rcpsych are experienced psychiatrists in the UK,on the GMC specialist register but without the MRCPsych exams (eg if trained abroad to consultant level). Proposals introduce "SpARCPsych" and use FRCPsych for senior SpA (so FRCPsych no longer = passed exams)

Affiliates @rcpsych = psychiatrists in UK, without exams or specialist register, not in training or consultant posts. Proposals introduce use of "AffRCPsych" after name, and voting rights in College meetings and elections

International Associates @rcpsych = psychiatrists not in UK, 5 years experience+specialist qualification. Proposals introduce use of "ARCPsych" after name, and voting rights in College meetings and elections

So why concern ? (1) proposals being debated and voted at 8.30am in the in-person-only #AGM before #RCPsychIC in Edinburgh on Monday without option of online participation (2) people only finding out about these changes now through social media channels...

(3) Concern about potential confusion (eg service users) about what "RCPsych" means after a doctor's name - particularly that no longer means has passed @RCPsych membership exams (and also will be true for FRCPsych) (4) Trainees concerned that reduces value of passing exams...

(5) a potentially broad change of electorate (& therefore direction) of the College which might/should impact on priorities without wider debate (6) doesn't include pre-membership UK trainees (7) awkward sense that this looks like money for titles. Also +ves to this though...

+ves include (1) recognizing the excellent experience and work of psychiatrists in the UK with other training routes (2) awareness that @RCPsych has a global impact & presence & needs to reach beyond UK (3) involving more people in work of College & increasing democratic basis

But still perhaps remains an awkward exercise in involving @RCPsych members to have voting at #AGM in person in Edinburgh at 8.30am on Monday morning. Expect to see more debate on twitter and beyond over next few days! Hope this helps @thedoctorkhan @PsychSleepy @DrKateLovett