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Demography of medical schools - a discussion paper

Board of Medical Education
June 2004

Foreword
In recent decades, the student composition of medical schools has changed with regards to the age, ethnicity and gender of students. Many of these changes have made a positive contribution to the medical profession and have gone some way to increasing the extent to which the profession reflects wider society. However, the demography of medical schools remains an enormously important topic of discussion. This paper examines the socio-economic background, age, ethnicity and gender of medical school applicants and students. After looking at these areas, it also briefly examines admissions policy and procedures. Annex 1 contains some data on disability and medical schools. This data is limited due to a dearth of research in this area and because disabilities are thought to be widely under-reported by medical school applicants.

Despite demographic changes in medical schools, the majority of medical school students are still drawn from professional and managerial backgrounds. Fears that medical education will become less accessible to students from non-traditional backgrounds following the introduction of top-up fees in England in 2006, make this a particularly timely issue. The age, ethnicity and gender profile of medical school students also continues to raise important questions, both about the most appropriate forms of medical education and about the future composition of the profession.

This paper is intended to outline the current demography of medical schools and to highlight important questions for further discussion and research. It is hoped that it will be informative and form a basis for debate and future policy decisions. The board of medical education, a standing committee of the British Medical Association (BMA), provides an interface between the medical profession, the government, the education sector and the public. The board advises the BMA on matters relating to the development and promotion of all stages of medical education. It also provides up-to-date information resources for students applying to medical school, as well as information for doctors.

Dr Peter Dangerfield
Chairman, board of medical education