To investigate the current means of obtaining a MD a questionnaire was
sent to 55 doctors who had obtained a MD in a paediatric subject betw
een 1984 and 1993; 53 (93%) responses were obtained. Ten (18%) of the
respondents had done their MD during-a clinical post. The remainder ha
d research posts lasting 10-87 months (median 24). Only 29% of those i
n research posts were able to submit their MD by the end of their post
. The time from submitting the MD to confirmation that it had been obt
ained was 21-102 months (median 54). Of those in research posts 0-80%
(median 20) of their time was spent on non-research related activities
and 45% had regular an call commitments. It took 2-15 months (median
6) before candidates received their MD back from their examiners. Alto
gether 46% of candidates had to make revisions to their MD and 47% of
candidates had a viva. There is great variation in the current means o
f obtaining a MD and it is suggested that nationwide regulations are a
dopted for the conduct of MD degrees.