UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) Practice Test

What is the role of a hospital registrar?

1. To operate at the highest medical rank

2. To provide patient care in emergencies

3. To serve as a hospital administrator

4. To perform tasks under a consultant

The correct answer is: To perform tasks under a consultant

The role of a hospital registrar primarily involves performing tasks under the supervision and guidance of a consultant. Registrars are typically training doctors who have completed their foundation years and are usually in a specialty training program. They are responsible for managing patient care, including conducting examinations, admitting patients, and helping to plan treatment under the direction of more senior doctors. Their position is crucial as they act as a bridge between junior doctors and consultants, ensuring that the day-to-day clinical responsibilities are effectively managed within the team. In contrast, operating at the highest medical rank is more characteristic of a consultant role rather than that of a registrar. Providing patient care in emergencies describes a duty that can fall upon various medical staff, not exclusively registrars. Serving as a hospital administrator suggests a focus on the management aspects of healthcare services, which again differs from the registrar's clinical responsibilities. The registrar's position is fundamentally about supporting patient care while still being in a training capacity, making providing care under a consultant's leadership their primary function.