A national medical register: Balancing public transparency and professional privacy

• The first aim of a medical registration scheme should be to protect patients. • Medical registration boards currently offer variable information to the public on doctors' registration status. • Current reform proposals for a national registration scheme should include free public access to professional profiles of registered medical practitioners. • Practitioner profiles should include: practitioner's full name and practice address; type of qualifications; year first registered, and duration and type of registration; any conditions on registration and practice; any disciplinary action taken; and participation in continuing professional education.