Abstract Internationally trained doctors wishing to register and practise in an English-speaking country typically have to demonstrate that they can communicate effectively in English, including writing proficiency. Various English language proficiency (ELP) tests are available worldwide and are used for such licensing purposes. This means that medical registration bodies face the question of which test(s) will meet their needs, ideally reflecting the demands of their professional environment. This article reports a mixed-methods study to survey the policy and practice of health-care registration organisations in the UK and worldwide. The study aimed to identify ELP tests that were, or could be, considered as suitable for medical registration purposes and to understand the differences between them. The paper discusses what the study revealed about the function and comparability of different writing tests used in professional registration as well as the complex criteria a professional body may prioritise when selecting a test. Although the original study was completed in 2015, the paper takes account of subsequent changes in policy and practice. It offers a practical methodology and worked example which may be of interest and value to other researchers, language testers and policymakers as they face challenges in selecting and making comparisons across tests.

中文翻译：

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比较专业医疗注册中使用的写作能力评估：一种为政策和实践提供信息的方法

摘要 希望在英语国家注册和执业的受过国际培训的医生通常必须证明他们可以用英语进行有效沟通，包括写作能力。各种英语语言能力 (ELP) 测试在全球范围内可用，并用于此类许可目的。这意味着医疗注册机构面临的问题是哪些测试将满足他们的需求，理想地反映其专业环境的需求。本文报告了一项混合方法研究，以调查英国和全球医疗保健注册组织的政策和实践。该研究旨在确定被认为或可能被认为适合医疗注册目的的 ELP 测试，并了解它们之间的差异。该论文讨论了该研究揭示了专业注册中使用的不同写作测试的功能和可比性，以及专业机构在选择测试时可能优先考虑的复杂标准。虽然最初的研究是在 2015 年完成的，但该论文考虑到了政策和实践的后续变化。它提供了一种实用的方法和工作示例，可能对其他研究人员、语言测试人员和政策制定者感兴趣和有价值，因为他们在选择和进行跨测试比较方面面临挑战。该文件考虑到政策和实践的后续变化。它提供了一种实用的方法和工作示例，可能对其他研究人员、语言测试人员和政策制定者感兴趣和有价值，因为他们在选择和进行跨测试比较方面面临挑战。该文件考虑到政策和实践的后续变化。它提供了一种实用的方法和工作示例，可能对其他研究人员、语言测试人员和政策制定者感兴趣和有价值，因为他们在选择和进行跨测试比较方面面临挑战。