What's in an MRCPsych!

There is such passionate debate going on about the award of MRCPsych without examination. Those who have struggled to achieve Membership through examination feel that the value of this has been somewhat lowered or tarnished. I was awarded Membership without examination and would like to share what this means to me and what advantages it has afforded.

Has it helped me to get a job, a promotion, or a higher salary? The answer is no. It is not even recognised in India as a qualification. MRCPsych has not conferred any advantage except receiving the British Journal of Psychiatry and the Psychiatric Bulletin. I definitely did not accept an International Fellowship because of a promise of MRCPsych and I do not mention it on my curriculum vitae.

To me it means the same as my other membership of international and national societies, all of which were awarded without examinations! There is no psychiatric society in the UK of which one can become a member except the College. If one could become a member of a professional body only through their own examination, it would be good neither for the professional nor for the professional body.

MRCPsych is an expensive membership to retain. For the annual fee one could get life membership or life fellowship of at least two or three Indian scientific societies. It is not surprising that some who are awarded an honorary MRCPsych are unable to retain it after some years. As far as I am aware, no International Fellow with Membership without examinations has secured a job in the Gulf or other countries where the Membership is acceptable. I am aware of quite a few with the honorary MRCPsych who have taken up assignments in different parts of the world or international organisations. It would be futile to speculate whether the honorary MRCPsych helped them to gain these positions.

I hope those opposing the award of MRCPsych without examination will view the process from the correct perspective and not feel that MRCPsych is some exalted object which they are being robbed of. I am happy to be a member of the College and enjoy participating in its activities, and will probably retain Membership as long as I can afford it!