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).

 

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