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how this could help maintain or improve the quality of care/practice.
The GMC does not require doctors to complete mandatory training in order
to be revalidated. However, this is sometimes an organisational requirement by employers. The IDF strongly recommends that connected members keep up to date in the following training: Basic Life Support (annually), Child and Adult Safeguarding (three yearly), Equality and Diversity and Information Governance (two yearly).
The GMC guidance states that doctors must be able to show they have participated in quality improvement activity that is relevant to all aspects
of their practice at least once in their revalidation cycle. However, the extent and frequency will depend on the nature of the activity. Examples of quality improvements activities include audits (local, clinical, national), case reviews, learning event analyses, and evaluations of the impact and effectiveness of a piece of health policy or management.
The GMC states that a significant event (also known as an untoward, critical, or patient safety incident) is any unintended or unexpected event which could, or did, lead to harm of one or more patients. Care should be taken to complete the significant events declaration correctly and declare any personal involvement in significant events. Some appraisees get confused between significant events and learning events. If doctors have not been named in any significant events but wish to share learning of some events that they were aware of, or carried managerial responsibility for, then these should be included as learning events under the ‘Quality Improvement’ section.
Formal colleague feedback is required
at least once in the revalidation cycle. Formal patient feedback is required at least once in the revalidation cycle for all doctors who examine patients. However, the GMC also encourages collection of informal patient feedback on an ongoing basis. Appraisees who do not examine patients should contact the IDF RO to discuss an exemption from formal patient feedback ahead of their revalidation date. Sometimes appraisees are unable to obtain the required numbers of feedback and in such cases should contact the IDF revalidation team for guidance. Some providers may require a lower number of responses and the RO may be able to accept an abbreviated report.
Any complaints and compliments and learning and reflection upon them must be included in the appraisal submission. Care should be taken to complete the complaints declaration correctly.
All information presented in the appraisal form must be redacted so that there is no patient identifiable information.
Appraisees should provide evidence
of reflection throughout their appraisal. Documented reflection need not be lengthy and the IDF supports focused quality reflection. Many appraisees find the ‘What, so what, now what?’ tool helpful to prompt reflection.
• What?
Use ‘I’ frequently to describe the event objectively and avoid judgements or interpretations
• So what?
Which parts went well or badly?
• Now what?
What will you do differently next time?
REFERENCE
GMC guidance on supporting information for appraisal and revalidation (Nov 2020)
Care should be taken to complete the probity and health declarations accurately. Appraisees should read the wording
of the declarations very carefully and,
in the case of the probity declaration,
they should declare any suspensions, restrictions on practice, or being subject to an investigation of any kind since their last appraisal.
Near the end of the appraisal form is a section on achievements, challenges and aspirations which provides the basis for a useful discussion at the appraisal meeting about future development plans.
The appraisal form must be submitted
at least two weeks prior to the appraisal meeting to allow the appraiser sufficient time to prepare. At the appraisal meeting the appraiser and appraisee will agree the Personal Development Plan which should be SMART i.e. specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time dependent.
The revalidation team are always happy to be contacted if appraisees have
any queries regarding their appraisal preparation and form completion and can be contacted at revalidation@idf.co.uk or by telephoning 020 3696 4080 (option 2).
Dr Alexandra Harkins
MA MBBS MRCGP DRCOG DCH DFSRH PGCE
Responsible Officer IDF E: revalidation@idf.co.uk
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