ABSTRACT
In 2004, there was an increase in the number of countries belonging to the European Union (EU). Qualifications in one member country are accepted in any other, but in medicine the training in general practice and the medical specialities differs across Europe. In addition to this, the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) will be judging the equivalence of training comparable to that of the UK for those doctors who have undertaken training outside the EU. The biggest change will be the formation of the PMETB. This will take over the regulation for postgraduate medical training from the Specialist Training Authority and the Joint Committee for Postgraduate Training in General Practice. Education and training support service delivery and the authors need to make sure that those doctors that they are training will be fit for purpose in whatever healthcare system is operational.
