The
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
(RCPE) was established in the 17th century.
While the RCPE is
based in Edinburgh
, it is by no means just a Scottish
professional body - more than half of its
7,700 Fellows, Members, Associates and Affiliates live and practice
medicine outside Scotland, in 86 countries and covering 55 specialties.
Origin
Edinburgh
physicians began to hold
meetings in their own homes to discuss the regulation of
medical practice and the ways in which standards in
medicine could be improved. Sir
Robert
Sibbald, an eminent physician and noted
historian, was a member of this group. He had the
opportunity to
petition King Charles II, who granted the RCPE
its
Royal Charter in 1681.
The twenty-one founding
Fellows of the
College, (one of whom was Dr William Lauder (1652-1724), brother of
John Lauder, Lord
Fountainhall), were concerned not only with the advancement of
medicine as a reputable
science, but also
with alleviating the miseries of Edinburgh's
poor and needy.
Current activities
The College remains independent of control by
government, and its mission today lies close to
the ideals of its founders, namely to promote the highest standards
in
internal medicine. Its
principal concern is to develop and oversee an ongoing programme of
medical
examinations,
education and
training for
qualified doctors who wish to undertake further (postgraduate)
education and training to pursue a career in specialist (internal)
medicine. Central to its role is the joint provision of the
Member of the
Royal College of Physicians (United Kingdom|UK) (MRCP(UK))
examination. In the UK, this qualification is a de facto
requirement for entry into a specialist training programme (i.e. an
entry exam). In those countries of the
Commonwealth whose medical education systems
retain a close link with the UK, it is often a requirement to
practise as a specialist (Consultant).
The College acts in an advisory capacity to government and other
organisations on many aspects of
health,
welfare and medical education.
Following successful completion of the MRCP(UK) examination,
doctors are eligible to become Members and, in time, Fellows of the
College.
The
College was instrumental in founding the Edinburgh Royal
Infirmary
in 1729 and, over the years, has influenced the
development of medical schools in North
America, Australasia, Asia and Africa.
There is a separate
Royal College of Surgeons
of Edinburgh.
See also
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