Estimation of numbers of British medical graduates working in the National Health Service: comparison of capture-recapture analysis and exhaustive tracing.

Objective: To compare the results of capture-recapture estimates and exhaustive follow-up in identifying the percentage of UK medical graduates who subsequently worked in the British National Health Service (NHS).

Methods: Postal questionnaire survey of all UK-trained doctors who graduated in 1974, with up to three reminders sent to non-respondents. Further exhaustive tracing of non-respondents to obtain whole population estimates of numbers in the NHS.

The development of a collaborative medical modelling service: organisational and technical considerations.

We describe the steps, problems, pitfalls and modifications in the development of a collaborative medical modelling service for a general hospital in the United Kingdom. We emphasise the value of having as much control as possible in the hands of clinicians so that the maximum relevant information can be obtained at minimum cost. Three-dimensional imaging, modelling and planning are now essential parts of any reconstructive surgery unit and must be adapted to make them as user friendly as possible for clinicians.

Retirement intentions of doctors who qualified in the United Kingdom in 1974: postal questionnaire survey.

Background: Medical workforce planning needs to be informed by knowledge about doctors' retirement intentions. Systematic information about retirement intentions, and factors that influence them, is sparse.

Methods: Postal questionnaires were sent to members of a cohort of medical qualifiers surveyed regularly since they qualified in 1974, with quantitative analysis of intentions about early retirement and qualitative analysis of reasons for wanting early retirement.

Graduate status and age at entry to medical school as predictors of doctors' choice of long-term career.

Objective: To determine whether graduate entry to medical school, taking an intercalated degree during medical school, and age at entry to medical school are related to choice of eventual career.

Design: Postal questionnaires.

Setting: United Kingdom (UK).