I:	Are there benefits to participating in MPC?
P19:	I would be positive about the benefits of it. I work in a very busy area, so I would view each year that I need to get to a broad spread of meetings, and I would, in a relatively structured way, plan the meetings I want to get to in any given year. I tend to plan over a multi-year cycle to make sure that I get to enough meetings in each area to stay current. I would deliberately be looking for high-quality meetings. Working in a university hospital, I would certainly have plenty of opportunities to meet the requirements. So, I’m positive about the process overall. If you are not registered in a professional competence scheme, then you can’t renew your registration with the medical council and having it hanging over you or the obligation to get it done is a good way of focusing minds.
I:	Do you think it effectively reassures patients and the public that doctors are fit to practice?
P19:	I am not too sure about the awareness that patients would have of it. I think many patients I deal with will expect what a doctor should be and how they should behave, and even how they should dress. I don’t think patients think that far about whether we are licensed and up to date.
I:	Can you think of any barriers to your participation in MPC?
P19:	The clinical burden is probably the biggest constraint regarding accessing courses. And I think the resources are minimal, and there is a lack of a structured approach towards CPD for consultants.