Letter alleges history of sexual harassment among surgeons
In October, we reported a leaked letter written by Dr Gabrielle McMullin to the Royal Australian College of Surgeons revealed the body was aware of sexual harassment claims against senior surgeons.
PT2M18S 620 349A secret recording of a high stakes medical exam that purports to expose discrimination against a trainee within the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is being investigated.
On Wednesday night, the college said it was looking into an illegal audio recording of an exam in 2013 that "alleges serious concerns about its examination process and policies".
Two examiners caught talking in the recording have been stood down from their roles as examiners while the inquiry into their conduct is underway.
The College of Surgeons is investigating a complaint about its examination process. Photo: Justin McManus
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Fairfax Media understands the recording includes discriminatory remarks about a candidate who was sitting one of the exhaustive fellowship exams, which helps determine whether they become a specialist surgeon. The fellowship exam is often a multi-day, seven-section test.
The investigation comes as the college is attempting to overhaul its culture to stamp out bullying, harassment and discrimination - problems found to be rife in its ranks. Last year, Fairfax Media reported claims the college was an "Anglo Saxon old boys club" that did not handle complaints well.
A spokesperson for the college would not reveal what was said in the recording or precisely which exam it affected. But the college's statement said the recording had been "substantially edited and re-worked to suggest the RACS policies and procedures were not followed by the examiners, and that their assessments were not impartial".
The college said it had referred the issue to a complaints committee which will receive "specialist, independent analysis of the tape and related information".
A college spokesperson said all candidates who sat the relevant exam had passed to become fellows of the college. However, it is unclear how many passed the exam on their first attempt or had to re-sit it in following months and years.
"RACS is now investigating whether, in 2013, there was a breach of agreed College examination procedures and whether the material on the tape reflects, or misrepresents, the actual candidate assessment," the statement said.
"If the recording accurately reflects the examination in May 2013, the assessment was in breach of agreed policies and procedures. In this case, the College will act to maintain the integrity of the exam process."
The college said since it became aware of the issue "recently", it had "strengthened the examination process to protect its integrity, including by appointing additional observers and increasing examiner training".
"To protect the integrity of the complaints investigation process, RACS will not comment further at this time."
RACS provides surgical education programs to nine surgical specialties across Australia and New Zealand.
