Frequently Asked Questions about iMAP
A brief
introduction
Interim Membership by Assessment of Performance
(iMAP) is a portfolio based assessment for established GPs who did
not become RCGP members at the end of their GP training. The RCGP
developed MAP a number of years ago as it recognised that an exam
designed for doctors who were completing their GP training was not
appropriate for established GPs. iMAP now succeeds MAP and
provides a limited window of opportunity for GPs to become members
of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). Gaining
membership through iMAP confers the MRCGP and is the same as any
other route to membership.
iMAP is available until the end of July 2009
after which portfolios will no longer be accepted for marking.
Candidates can apply for iMAP up to that date.
What needs to be done for
iMAP?
iMAP requires you to complete a portfolio of day
to day activities that you carry out during the working day. The
portfolio is a document which asks you what you have done and to
explain why you have done it. The ‘why you have done it’ or the
justification of your actions is very much at the heart of
iMAP.
What needs to be
documented?
The iMAP handbook (http://www.rcgp.org.uk/gp_training/imap/imap_handbook.aspx)
specifies what you need to document. There are 19 separate
activities or criteria (click here to view the iMAP
criteria). These should be achievable by GPs with a wide
variety of work patterns, and so iMAP gives all GPs the opportunity
to acquire the MRCGP.
How are these activities
justified?
Much of what we do in general practice is guided
by published evidence such as national or local guidelines or
commonly used publications such as BNF. So, an episode of treatment
we give to patients could be determined by reference to a
particular guideline or publication. This would be all the
justification you would need for iMAP. Sometimes you might vary
guidelines to meet a particular patients needs. You would be aware
of the variation and know why, and again this might well justify
your actions. There are occasions where there is no or little
evidence for a particular management plan or treatment but being
aware of this and knowing the pros and cons of a particular action
is quite acceptable.
What is the standard for
iMAP?
The standard for iMAP is set at good standard
general practice. iMAP does not require swotting up factual
knowledge as you might have done at medical school but asks you to
reflect on your current clinical practice and to ask yourself ‘What
have I done and why have I done it?’. iMAP should give you
the opportunity to re-examine and question aspects of longstanding
clinical practice the effectiveness of which you might have not
considered for sometime. iMAP does not expect perfection but wants
evidence of a reflective practitioner who is willing to
question and improve their performance.
How does iMAP fit with the annual
appraisal for PCOs?
iMAP is modelled on the appraisal portfolio and
an appraiser should accept the iMAP portfolio for appraisal with
very little additional information.
How much work will iMAP
involve?
127 GPs took part in the iMAP pilot. 72 GPs
completed their portfolios within 4 months. Those who took part in
the iMAP pilot reported that they thought an average GP could
complete the iMAP portfolio with 3 – 6 months of fairly
concentrated work.
How easy is it to organise the iMAP
workload?
All information in the iMAP portfolio should not
be more than 1 year old when it is submitted. For example,
Criterion 6 asks you to produce a log of 20 patients with acute
problems that you have managed. This means you could search back to
2 or 3 surgeries you did a week or two ago and use those patients
for your log. Nearly all of the work for iMAP can be done by
looking back on your activity and does not have to be
‘prospective’. This gives a lot of control of when you do your work
for iMAP.
How is iMAP
structured?
iMAP is described in the iMAP handbook which is
free to download from the RCGP website. Each of the iMAP criteria
are structured in the same way (click here to view an example
layout). iMAP is explicit with what is being assessed.
Candidates from the iMAP pilot have said that the most important
advice they can offer to prospective candidates is ‘follow the
guidance in the Handbook’.
What is the iMAP
portfolio?
A blank iMAP portfolio can be found on RCGP
website. This is a Word document. You download a blank portfolio
and complete it as per the Handbook. This is then e-mailed to the
iMAP office at the RCGP.
How is iMAP
assessed?
Once the iMAP office receives the completed
portfolio it is sent out to two iMAP assessors who mark the
portfolio independently and then confer. If the iMAP portfolio is
assessed of being of an acceptable standard the candidate is then
invited for an oral assessment. If the portfolio is not of an
acceptable standard then the assessors indicate where the issues
are and the portfolio is then sent back to the candidate who can
then make the relevant alterations and resubmit the portfolio.
Candidates are allowed up to two resubmissions.
What is the oral
assessment?
Originally iMAP assessors visited the candidate
in their practice. However, it was found visiting a large number of
GPs around the UK was not feasible and so an oral assessment was
developed to allow candidates to be assessed at a central location.
The oral assessment should not be thought of as an oral exam. iMAP
assessors are very aware that iMAP candidates are fellow GPs who
have the same experience and expertise as they do.
How is the Oral assessment
structured?
The oral assessment lasts for 90 mins and is
divided into three separate sessions with three different pairs of
iMAP assessors. There is a 5 min break between each session. The
first session (Oral 1) lasts 40 mins and comprises a discussion
around the portfolio you have submitted. The questions will be
based around elements of the portfolio where the justification for
your action might not be clear or require further explorations.
Some of these issues will have been highlighted by the assessors
who have marked your portfolio prior to the oral assessment.
You will be aware of what these issues are before the oral
assessment.
The second part of the oral is divided into two
(Orals 2 & 3) and the questions are based on the criteria in
the iMAP Handbook. There are no factual questions that require
swotting up in these oral assessments. The basis of the oral
assessment is to discuss with you how you justify particular
actions or approaches to your work. This is an opportunity for you
to reflect on what you do and review the evidence that underpins
your professional activity.
What is the pass rate for
iMAP?
The pass rate is not known as iMAP has just gone
live. There is no set pass rate. The iMAP pilot suggested that
about 10% of candidates failed to meet the standard needed. It is
felt that many of the GPs who did not pass were perfectly able GPs
but simply had not spent sufficient time in questioning their
professional activity and considering how they might improve
it.
If the RCGP could wave a magic wand it would like
all established GPs who are not members to pass iMAP and become
members.
iMAP is here until 2009 and should be an
achievable goal for all established GPs.
How much will iMAP
cost?
Please read the candidate regulations (http://www.rcgp.org.uk/Docs/iMAP
Regulations updated.doc) to view full details on the costs for
iMAP.
If you require further information, please
visit the main iMAP webpage on the RCGP Website (http://www.rcgp.org.uk/the_gp_journey/imap.aspx)
or email the iMAP Office at the RCGP (imap@rcgp.org.uk).