Family doctors can rest assured that changes
to the appraisal system can be influenced and led by the profession
itself, was the message to GPs from Professor Mayur Lakhani, Chair
of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).
Professor Lakhani was speaking at a conference
for GPs and PCT managers entitled A Practical Guide to
Appraisal & Assessment in Primary Care: Implementing the
recommendations from ‘Good doctors, safer patients’ held at
the Royal Society in London.
In a speech dealing with the progress and
developments in the national implementation of GP appraisal,
Professor Lakhani discussed the impact of the recent White Paper,
the implementation challenges ahead and the appraisal process in
practice.
A practising GP in Leicester, Professor
Lakhani said that whilst he understood the anxieties of family
doctors and appraisers about the proposed changes to revalidation,
it was time for the profession to take the debate forward. He also
spoke of a ‘culture shift’ in the profession which called for
collaboration and a shared commitment to improving standards of
patient care.
Professor Lakhani said that a debate now needs
to start about the summative and formative nature of appraisal. New
developments in thinking about assessment means that appraisal need
not only be summative or formative - a combination of both could be
acceptable if it is properly structured and set up.
He said: “Educationalists, assessors and
learners must not see themselves as separate tribes but must come
together as a community that is focused on improving standards of
patient care.
“Medical regulation has been subject of intense controversy for the
best part of a decade and the White Paper should move us on from
discussion to delivery. It marks an end to uncertainty and provides
the clarity of direction that both patients and doctors need.”
Professor Lakhani said that proposals to pilot
revalidation were welcome but warned that the educational elements
of the current appraisal process must be retained, in addition to
summative elements, in order to support doctors who may be
reluctant to become involved.
He said: “There is no difficulty with
standardised information being brought to the appraisal process and
with appraisal being subject to quality assurance, but to be
successful, it must remain a formative process which supports
doctors and allows them to discuss concerns openly.”
Talking of the RCGP’s new role in the
appraisal system, Professor Lakhani pledged that the College would
fully support family doctors in implementing the White Paper’s
recommendations, providing them with the ‘tools needed to meet
their obligations.’
He added: “We have to work together to refine
appraisal as a tool for improving patient care. It is important
that proposals are piloted and proportionate and we will adopt an
inclusive approach, working with our partners to ensure that the
proposed changes are workable, supportive and influenced by the
profession itself.”
Professor Lakhani ended his speech by calling
on GPs to become involved in shaping the future of general
practice.
He said: “There are still many opportunities
for shaping the nature of future proposals. Now more than ever
strong clinical and professional leadership is required from GPs -
it is essential that the profession puts forward its own ideas for
the development of general practice and patient care.”
Ends
For further information
please contact Lorna Fletcher in the RCGP press office 020 7344
3136 / press@rcgp.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
· Professor Mayur
Lakhani was a keynote speaker at A Practical Guide to Effective
Appraisal and Assessment in Primary Care, which was held at
the Royal Society on Wednesday 14 March.
· The Royal College
of General Practitioners is the largest membership organisation in
the United Kingdom solely for GPs. It aims to encourage and
maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and to
act as the “voice” of GPs on issues concerned with education;
training; research; and clinical standards. Founded in 1952, the
RCGP has over 25,000 members who are committed to improving patient
care, developing their own skills and promoting general practice as
a discipline..