Appraisal and Revalidation -
Guidance for doctors preparing for relicensing and specialist recertification

In the white paper, Trust, assurance and safety - the regulation of health professionals in the 21st century,1 the government outlined a series of key principles underpinning the future revalidation of doctors. The aim of revalidation is to allay any concerns about patient safety by reassuring the public that doctors across the UK are up to date and fit to practise.

Revalidation will also highlight those doctors whose practice is not of a sufficiently high standard.

However, both the Secretary of State in the white paper1 and the Chief Medical Officer in his earlier report, Good doctors, safer patients,2 have emphasised that a key purpose of revalidation should be to support the continuing improvement in quality of care for the overwhelming majority of doctors who practice medicine to a high standard.

The medical royal colleges will be responsible for recertifying doctors in their medical specialty, while relicensing will fall within the remit of the GMC.

The Royal College of Physicians has prepared an initial series of guidance booklets for doctors and their employers to assist them in preparing for appraisal and revalidation.

The booklets are:
1. Appraisal
2. Multi-source feedback (360-degree assessment)
3. Untoward incidents
4. Patient survey
5. Complaints
6. Continuing professional development

The guidance in these booklets will be relevant to doctors in all medical specialties, including general practitioners, and to their professional bodies and employers as they prepare for the widespread introduction of revalidation.

References:

1. Secretary of State for Health. Trust, assurance and safety - the regulation of health professionals in the 21st century. London: The Stationery Office, 2007

2. Chief Medical Officer. Good doctors, safer patients: London. The Stationery Office, 2006