Archived FAQs about the standards and requirements for Specialty including GP training
Q: What has happened to the principles and standards documents that were published by PMETB?
A: The GMC has published three documents that set out all of our standards and requirements for specialty including GP training which are:
And these have replaced:
- The July 2008 edition of Standards for curricula and assessment systems
- The July 2008 edition of Standards for deaneries
- Generic standards for training (April 2006, revised July 2008)
- Principles for an assessment system for postgraduate medical training (September 2004)
- Principles for deaneries (January 2008)
- Principles for entry to specialist training (January 2006)
- Standards for curricula (March 2005)
- Standards for trainers (January 2008)
Q: What do we mean by principles, standards, requirements and guidance in this context?
A: For specialty including GP training:
- Principles are overarching statements of intent, values and approaches;
- Standards are statements of expectations that must be met by specialty including GP training providers at all levels and are enforceable by statute;
- Requirements – when a standard is articulated, there will be a set of requirements that underpin the achievement of that standard. These requirements are mandatory and must be reflected by providers at all levels; and
- Guidance – all other statements that are not principles, standards or requirements. Guidance will be those activities that should be considered and, where appropriate, implemented. It is not however a requirement and a deanery, college or local education provider can interpret the guidance within their context.
Q: What action should medical Royal Colleges/Faculties, deaneries, specialist associations and local education providers take?
A: After you have read the documents, you should review your working practices to ensure that these reflect the changes that have been made to the standards and requirements. Where you use internal or external templates for correspondence, reporting or other activities, you should also check to ensure that any references to standards and requirements are up to date. Please also ensure that your staff are aware of the changes that have been made.
Q: In relation to the assessment systems blueprinted against the approved curricula (submitted by medical Royal Colleges/Faculties in 2007) considered for approval against Principles 1, 2 and 5 of the Principles for an assessment system for postgraduate medical training (September 2004): medical Royal Colleges/Faculties/specialist associations were due to submit outline plans in July 2008 to PMETB on how they intended to meet the remaining principles by 2010. What happens next?
A: Medical Royal Colleges, Faculties and specialty associations should note that all approved assessment systems have already demonstrated standards 2, 4 and 11 of the Standards for curricula and assessment systems (July 2008).
Therefore standards 8, 10, 12, 13, 15 and 16 must be demonstrated by 2010.
Q: If I have further questions, who can I contact?
A: Further information can be found on the Standards and Requirements pages.
If you are unable to find the answer to your query, please email us at education@gmc-uk.org.