Although a uniform international approach to performance assessment may be neither feasible nor desirable, an international comparison of current practice, as provided in this report, should stimulate further debate on the development of better performance assessment processes.

A Working Group on Medical Passports was established in 2002 by the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities. The goal of this group was to develop a fast-track registration process for highly qualified medical practitioners wishing to move from one jurisdiction to another. A "medical passport" would be available only to practitioners who meet or exceed certain well-defined gold-standard educational, examination, and practice requirements. These standards are the core elements of the international medical passport. Each physician would need to satisfy a series of comprehensive requirements to be eligible for this fast-track, expedited treatment. A medical passport system would ease the movement of highly qualified physicians between countries while contributing to the broader dissemination of scientific knowledge and education. Significant progress has been made, but many issues need further study before the medical passport is ready for piloting.