GP Appraisals 

Contents:

• GP Appraiser Training & Support
• GP Appraiser Newsletters 
• Revalidation Update
• Support for GP Appraisals, including Tips for Appraisals  & Support for Sessional GPs 
• Feedback from recent events

GP Appraiser Training  & Support

Since October 2007, CHEC has supported GP Appraisal in NHS Nottinghamshire County.

The PCT administers GP appraisals.

CHEC helps to:

• Recruit, interview and train new appraisers.
• Support appraisers, offering personal advice, and  running regular update meetings.
• Support appraisees in get the most from their appraisals.

Contacts for further information: 

Dr Rashbal Ghattaora (CHEC Education Advisor for Appraisal):   This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Prof Mike Pringle (CHEC Educational Director): This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

GP Appraiser Newsletters

These are produced twice a year. Please click on link to update the latest one.

GP Appraiser Newsletter January 2010

Support Events for Existing GP Appraisers

Update for GP Appraisers in NHS Nottinghamshire County 

Click on the event title for further information 

Revalidation Update

The Guide to the Revalidation of General Practioners (Version 2) was released by RCGP on 05-08-09, (superseding Version 1 published in April 2009). This guide outlines proposals for the processes and evidence that will be needed for GPs to be revalidated. The Re-licensure component of revalidation is ready to be rolled out in November 2009, and the Re-certification process is planned to start in 2010/11.

The key areas discussed in Revalidation Guide for GPs (Version 1) are outlined below:

Section 1: Describes the evidence expected in a GP's revalidation porfolio

1. Description of roles
2. Completion of Exceptional Circumstances statement if appropriate
3. Participation in 5 annual appraisals over a 5 year cycle
4. PDP for each year, agreed with appraiser
5. Review of the previous year's PDP
6. Self-accreditation of a minimum of 250 learning credits over the 5 year revalidation cycle. (More information about the future CPD credit scheme is available on the RCGP website: www.rcgp.org.uk )
7. 2 multi-source feedbacks from colleagues
8. 2 patient surveys
9. Review of any formal complaint
10. 5 Significant Event Audits
11. Audits of care in at least 2 significant clinical areas
12. Statements of probity, health and appropriate use of health care
13. Additional evidence if teacher, trainer, extended clinical role (such as GPwSI), appraiser, researcher etc.

Section 2: The evidence required in the introductory phase of revalidation of GPs

Section 3: The evidence required for the revalidation of GPs whose experience is not standard. The Guidance stipulates the "minimum standards for considering a portfolio":

• Active participation in approved appraisal with a PDP agreed and a review of a previous PDP in at least 3 of the 5 years in the revalidation cycle
• Demonstration of 50 learning credits in each of at least 3 of the 5 years in the revalidation cycle
• Documentation of at least 200 clinical half-day sessions (equivalent to 1 day a week over a period of at least 2 years) in the 5 years of the revalidation cycle. A half-day would normally last 4 years and include at least 2.5 hours face-to-face clinical contact.

Section 4: The processes of revalidation of GPs, in particular the assessment of the portfolio of evidence, and the role of the Responsible Officer.

Section 5: The derivation of the evidence for the revalidation of GPs, in particular the close links with the GMC's framework.

The major changes found in the Revalidation Guide for GPs (Version 2)   are:

General Issues

• Increased discussion of the need to establish the resources required for Revalidation, and the source for these (Page 3).
• The roles of the various players in Remediation, and support for doctors in difficulties (Page 3).
• More extensive coverage of the specific revalidation issues for sessional doctors, particularly peripatetic locums, and GPs in small or remote practices (Pages 5-6).

The Evidence to be Submitted

• In Evidence Area 6, there are developments in the design of educational credits, with the hours of education being moderated by the impact of that education (Pages 13-14).
• In Evidence Area 8, the option is discussed of either submitting reflection on 2 patient surveys or, if the first survey is satisfactory, one patient survey and a consultation review (Pages 17-18).
• It is clearer that the content of transition phase portfolios will include evidence from all 5 previous years for most GPs who have been actively taking part in annual appraisals (pages 27-35).
• The link

Appraiser Pathway: for details, please click on the following link:

http://www.eastmidlandsdeanery.nhs.uk/page.php?id=756  

  Support for GP Appraisals

Tips for Getting the Best from your Appraisal

1. Be familiar with the following important documents:

• Good Medical Practice for General Practitioners (Second Edition), RCGP (July 2008)
• RCGP Guide to Revalidation (Version 2), RCGP (August 2009) 

2. Prepare early.

3. Make collecting evidence for appraisal a continuous process, rather than rushing to gather documents at the last minute.

4. Reflect on the evidence collected in terms of the salient learning points, impact on clinical practice, and whether learning was worthwhile.

5. Use the NHS Toolkit, especially the standard templates provided to record evidence.

6. Plan the audits early, ensuring appropriate understanding of the criteria and standard setting. Ensure that the practice team are involved in the audit, discussion of the finding, and any subsequent actions. 

7. Review your educational activity in terms not only of the time involved, but also the the impact on patient care.

8. Access GP Tutor support if needed for further advice on appraisal preparation and evidence collection.

9. Take responsibility for your appraisal and your evidence portfolio, as this will ensure you are successful through revalidation.

Support for Sessional GPs

Dr Rashbal Ghattaora has produced a booklet to support sessional GPs with appraisal. Please click on the title below to download a copy.

Supporting Sessional GPs with Appraisal

Feedback from Recent Events for Appraisers

Click on the event title for a summary of the evaluation

For information on previous events, please contact CHEC.