Introduction - Colleague and patient feedback in revalidation

Colleague and patient feedback is one element of the supporting information that the GMC is requiring doctors to collect and reflect upon as part of the process of revalidation.

Seeking feedback using a questionnaire enables colleague and patient views about a doctor’s practice to be gathered in a systematic way.

The feedback is intended to help doctors to reflect on their practice and support their professional development by providing them with information about their practice through the eyes of those they work with and treat. Any conclusions about a doctor’s practice should take into account all of the supporting information they bring to appraisal and the wider practice context. No single piece of supporting information should be considered in isolation.

As part of the process of revalidation, licensed doctors are required to seek this feedback from colleagues and patients at least once in each revalidation cycle (normally every five years) and include the feedback as part of the discussion at appraisal.

For more information on discussing colleague and patient feedback in appraisal, please consult our guidance on supporting information for appraisal and revalidation (pdf).