New guidance sets out a straightforward approach to appraisal for revalidation

The GMC has launched new appraisal guidance for revalidation that is designed to make the process simple and straightforward.

It sets out how doctors can show that they are meeting the professional standards on which good practice is founded. It also outlines the core information that all doctors will need to bring to their annual appraisal, regardless of where they work in the UK or their area of practice.

The guidance is intended to help doctors and employers prepare for the launch of revalidation at the end of 2012.  Employers are being asked to make sure that every doctor can access the supporting information outlined in the guidance.

The guidance is based on the principles set out in Good Medical Practice, the core ethical guidance for the medical profession. The aim is for all doctors to discuss how they have met these core principles at their annual appraisals.

However, doctors taking part in the pilots for revalidation found that mapping their supporting information to the different areas of Good Medical Practice felt mechanistic and was both time-consuming and unhelpful. The new guidance makes clear that doctors will not be expected to do this, although some may find it useful to structure their appraisal discussion around the key areas in the guidance.

Niall Dickson, the Chief Executive of the GMC, said:

“We know that the current appraisal system is patchy. We hope that our guidance will introduce greater consistency and ensure that what we are asking doctors to do is realistic and straightforward.  We want appraisals to be rewarding and useful, not time-consuming or difficult.”

The GMC has worked closely with a number of organisations to develop this guidance, including the four UK health departments and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.

When revalidation is introduced every doctor will need to bring supporting information to their appraisal that demonstrates that they are keeping up to date. Periodically they will also be expected to seek feedback from patients and colleagues and they should be able to show that they take part regularly in activities that evaluate the quality of their work, such as a clinical audit, case reviews or the review of clinical outcomes.

The Good Medical Practice Framework for appraisal and revalidation and Supporting information for appraisal and revalidation are available on the GMC website: http://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/revalidation/9569.asp.

Notes to Editors:

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The General Medical Council registers and licenses doctors to practise medicine in the UK. Our purpose is summed up in the phrase: Regulating doctors, Ensuring Good Medical Practice.

The law gives us four main functions:

• keeping up-to-date registers of qualified doctors
• fostering good medical practice
• promoting high standards of medical education and training
• dealing firmly and fairly with doctors whose fitness to practise is in doubt