- The MDU has a specialist advisory team that supports medical students during fitness to practise (FTP) investigations.
- An open, honest and reflective response to concerns is usually viewed favourably.
- While FTP investigations typically don't prevent students from becoming doctors, it's important to start the GMC registration process early.
The scenario
A student member called the MDU advice line after being informed that a fitness to practise investigation was being opened due to concerns that he'd missed several lectures over the past six months.
A university lecturer had noticed that while the electronic register showed the student had signed in to the lecture hall using his access card, there were multiple occasions when he didn't appear to have stayed for the lecture.
The student explained that a close family member had experienced health concerns over the past year, and he'd taken time off to support them. He thought he could catch up on what he missed later and knew other students also signed in to lectures they didn't subsequently attend, and thought it was fine to do this as well.
The medical school was concerned about his poor attendance and the impact this may have on his training. It was also concerned that he may have acted dishonestly, and so opened a fitness to practise investigation.
MDU advice
The MDU has a specialist advisory team that offers support to medical students when they are notified of a university fitness to practise investigation.
The member explained the background of his personal circumstances and acknowledged he could have discussed these issues with his personal tutor and sought support at the time. He admitted that he should have considered the impact of missing lectures on his training.
The member also accepted that his behaviour had been misleading and apologised for signing in to lectures he did not attend.
We suggested that he reflect on his actions and encouraged him to write a reflective statement for the investigators.
GMC guidance
The member was advised to review the following GMC guidance when preparing their reflections.
In particular, he was directed to the section "Acting with honesty and integrity", which states:
"Don't say you have attended teaching sessions or clinical placements if you haven't. And don't ask another student to sign in for you."
The student was reminded that medical students are expected to demonstrate a high standard of behaviour at all times, justifying the trust placed in them as future members of the medical profession.
What happened next?
The medical student made sure to catch up on the lectures he'd missed.
Following advice from the MDU, the student attended a course on professionalism and ethics and promised to learn from the experience.
With the MDU's help, the student wrote a reflective statement and sent it to the university. He was also asked to attend a fitness to practise hearing, where he was again supported by the MDU.
The hearing panel was sympathetic to the student's personal situation and noted he had clearly reflected on what had happened and demonstrated insight into the consequences of his behaviour.
However, they remained concerned that he'd acted dishonestly with the intention of misleading the university and issued a warning.
Key takeaways
Like doctors, medical students sometimes need support, and the MDU exists to help members throughout their careers. When concerns arise, we encourage members to let us know and seek support as soon as possible. The earlier we know about an issue, the earlier we can help.
While many investigations are resolved quickly, some concerns might be referred for a fitness to practise hearing. In our experience, an open, honest and reflective response is usually viewed favourably.
When a medical student has been investigated by a fitness to practise panel, this is unlikely to prevent them from becoming a doctor.
However, when registering with the GMC, they should start their application early, as the GMC might also want to review matters.
Need help? Contact us
Student members can contact our medico-legal advisers for support or call us on 0800 716 646 between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday.
This page was correct at publication on 15/04/2025. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.
by Dr Samantha Bell MDU medico-legal adviser
Samantha studied medicine at Guy's Hospital Medical School and qualified in 1992. After gaining MRCP she went on to train as a GP, gaining MRCGP in 2003. She obtained an LLM in Health Care Ethics and Law in 2015. She worked as a GP principal in Hertfordshire before joining the MDU as a medico-legal adviser in 2015.