Â鶹Çø

Â鶹Çø Global

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With 30% of our members based outside the UK, the Â鶹Çø's global team listens to, learns from, and supports our doctors, who are located in 141 countries worldwide.

Improving medical standards worldwide

Our work spans high, middle, and low-income countries, ranging from accreditation work and guideline development in the Middle East to delivery of clinical skills workshops in rural East Africa. We develop and coordinate the globally-recognised MÂ鶹Çø(UK) exams as part of the Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, and deliver a wide range of projects aimed at strengthening health systems and improving medical standards across the globe.

Our work is vital in maintaining high standards of education, training and professionalism for postgraduate physicians, but our presence in a particular country will sometimes raise important questions. It does not mean that we endorse the actions of any government, or that we do not condemn human rights violations, but rather that any concerns are outweighed by the potential benefits of improving medical care and health which is our core mission.

Wherever we work around the world, we are there to support the doctors and people of the country not their rulers. The safety of all of those involved in delivering international work is an important consideration. 

The Federation of Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK runs examinations for some 25,000 doctors in over 100 countries, on behalf of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and us here at Â鶹Çø. If an exam diet cannot proceed due to security concerns, the Federation will attempt to minimise the impact on candidates by increasing capacity in nearby countries. 

Global

Learn more about some of our current and past projects:

Jeelani Drabu Palliative Care Programme

Kindly funded by the Drabu family, this programme is intended to support the development of palliative medicine as a speciality and palliative care as an integral element of healthcare provision in Pakistan and the Jammu and Kashmir region.

Â鶹Çø-COPM Tuanku Nazrin Travelling Fellowship

Â鶹Çø and our partners at the College of Physicians Malaysia (COPM) and the Malaysian Advanced Acute Internal Medicine and Ultrasound Society (MAAIMUS), are pleased to announce the launch of the Â鶹Çø-COPM Tuanku Nazrin Travelling Fellowship.

Supporting the establishment of the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians

Â鶹Çø is supporting the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians (ECSACoP) in its efforts to double the number of physicians being trained in the region by 2030.

Building oncology/neurology capacity across East Africa

The METAF Programme is a partnership with the British Council aimed at reducing the burden of cancer and neurological disorders across East Africa.

Delivering doctor-patient communications skills courses

Â鶹Çø delivers intensive 2-day communications skills courses overseas designed to provide doctors of all levels with the opportunity to refresh and develop essential verbal and non-verbal communications skills.

Overseas-trained doctors

Medical Training Initiative (MTI)

Our Medical Training Initiative (MTI), a scheme thatÌýenables resident doctors from all over the world to work and train in the UKÌýfor up to two years, while giving trusts a longer-term alternative to using locums to fill rota gaps.

The scheme facilitates General Medical Council (GMC) registration and visa sponsorship for Government Authorised Exchange visa.

 
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General Medical Council sponsorship scheme

 
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Temporary GMC registration for visiting specialists

 
Doctors

Refugee physicians

The Â鶹Çø is dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for refugee doctors who are physicians. Discover more about the support and opportunities on offer. 

 
Healthcare workers talking

Latest global news

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19/08/26
Doctor Checking Notes

HSSIB research demonstrates need for Advice and Guidance inclusion in physician job planning to ensure patient safety, says Â鶹Çø

The Royal College of Physicians (Â鶹Çø) has responded to the results of an investigation that explores risks to patient safety where electronic patient record (EPR) systems, introduced to support referrals for patient care, have contributed to harm from missed or delayed care.
Blog
17/08/26
Next gen pink logo

Training more doctors means investing in those who train them

In our latest next generation blog, Â鶹Çø deputy registrar Dr Ben Chadwick explores why clinical educators must be central to the future of postgraduate medical education, and why expanding training places will only succeed if doctors are given the protected time and support to train the next generation well.
News
17/08/26
Â鶹Çø College Day 2022 2

Â鶹Çø to establish new group to drive the next phase of governance renewal

The Royal College of Physicians (Â鶹Çø) is today sharing with members the full Good Governance Institute (GGi) governance review, alongside an update on the progress already made and the next steps in delivering its recommendations. The review was received in December 2025 and has since been considered in detail by both the Board of Trustees and Council.

Associate global directors

Associate global directors (AGDs) are led by the global vice president and appointed on an honorary basis to guide Â鶹Çø global activity within their specific regions of the world.

International advisers

International advisers (IAs) are Â鶹Çø fellows who are appointed to represent an area of the world.

Our international priorities

Discover more about how we support our global network of members and fellows and to improve access to quality healthcare worldwide.

Our global strategy
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Ethical, professional, reputational and practical considerations

The Â鶹Çø is committed to supporting global engagement that strengthens clinical standards and improves patient care worldwide. We recognise that healthcare professionalsÌýoperateÌýin diverse contexts, each with unique challenges, and weÌýare dedicated to providingÌýguidance, education and professional support that is ethical, evidenceÌýbased and patientÌýcentred.Ìý
We believe that collaboration across borders, through education, training and professional exchange, helps raise standards of care, fosters the sharing of best practice and empowers clinicians to deliver high-quality,ÌýsafeÌýandÌýequitableÌýcare. Our engagement is guided by principles of medical ethics, humanÌýrightsÌýand professional integrity, ensuring that our activities do no harm, respect local contexts and contribute positively to health systems.Ìý
The Â鶹Çø also acknowledges the complexities inherent in working in countries with significant political,ÌýsocialÌýor humanÌýrights challenges. In all such contexts, we carefully assess risks,ÌýmaintainÌýsafeguards for clinicians and patients, and strive to support individual fellows and members in ways that promote clinical excellence without compromising safety or ethical standards.Ìý
Through this approach, theÌýÂ鶹ÇøÌýseeksÌýto uphold its global mission: improving healthcare outcomes and supporting the medical profession wherever itÌýoperates, while fostering professional networks, knowledge exchange, and the highest standardsÌýof patient care. It does not mean that the Â鶹Çø endorses the actions of any government, or that theÌýcollege does not condemn human rights violations, but rather that any concerns are outweighed by the potential benefits of improving medical care and health which is the Â鶹Çøs core mission.Ìý
Our international engagement is guided by a principled framework that prioritises medical neutrality, professional independence and patient safety. Where these cannot be assured, we will not operate institutionally, while continuing to support individual clinicians through alternative means.

Contact us

For more information on the Â鶹Çø’s international work, or to get in touch with an international adviser in your country, contact us.

Get in touch