FAQ: The RCGP's Role in Revalidation
What is the role of the
RCGP?
The RCGP has an important role
to play in the implementation of the new revalidation system and is
responsible, on behalf of all GPs, for proposing the standards for
revalidation specifically for GPs. The RCGP has worked closely with
the other Medical Royal Colleges, the BMA and the GMC in the
development of its proposals. The RCGP’s proposals aim to support
all GPs, regardless of whether they are members of the College.
They are intended to be sensitive to GPs’ different working
patterns, including locums, those working in remote practices,
prisons, etc. The RCGP is striving to ensure that revalidation of
GPs is fair, equitable and not unduly onerous. If you have views on
the appropriateness or otherwise of the RCGP’s proposals please
tell us by emailing revalidation@rcgp.org.uk
The RCGP will be fair to all
doctors, whether members of the College or not. There will be no
requirement to be a member of the College for
revalidation.
How is the RCGP developing its
revalidation proposals?
The RCGP has worked with the
Department of Health’s Revalidation Support Team and the Academy of
Royal Medical Colleges to undertake pilot projects, including a
pilot of "learning credits". Pilot projects for supporting
information collection and evaluation have been completed in
England, Wales and Scotland, as has a pilot for sessional and locum
doctors and those who work in remote rural settings. Other pilots
concerning doctors in the Defence Medical Services (DMS) and those
who work in secure environments have also been completed.
What help is available from RCGP
now?
The RCGP is developing a suite
of tools to support GPs in collecting supporting information for
revalidation. As these become available they will be signposted on
the RCGP website.
These tools currently
include:
Revalidation
ePorfolio
An electronic system designed
specifically to help GPs collect supporting information for
revalidation. The Revalidation ePortfolio is free to College
members. Non members benefit from an extended free-trial period
until April 2012. Regular updates and information on the
Revalidation ePortfolio can be found here:
http://www.rcgp.org.uk/revalidation_eportfolio_home.aspx
Online Learning
Environment
The RCGP Online Learning
Environment (OLE) (http://www.elearning.rcgp.org.uk/)
offers a variety of online courses
aimed at practising GPs. The OLE also hosts a range of other
courses which are added regularly to reflect the ever-changing
needs of GPs.
Learning Credits and Essential
Knowledge Updates/Challenge
Learning Credits. Every GP will need
to collect at least 50 Learning Credits per year, amounting to 250
over the five year revalidation cycle. The RCGP has developed a
credits system based on time and impact. One learning credit is
earned per hour of education. If the GP can demonstrate impact from
that learning, each hour will then be worth two learning credits.
For more details, see the Maintaining the Quality of What You
Do section in the
RCGP Guide to the Revalidation of General
Practitioners.
The RCGP has also developed the
Essential Knowledge Updates (EKU) and
Essential Knowledge Challenge (EKC). The EKU is a
scenario-based learning tool that will enable GPs to collect
Learning Credits while keeping up-to-date with new and changing
knowledge in general practice. The EKC is a multiple choice,
voluntary assessment that tests an individual's understanding of
the Knowledge Updates. GPs who achieve at least 70% in the
challenge can download a certificate for their portfolios of
supporting information.
Information about MSF tools
The RCGP commissioned a study into the
suitability of patient and colleague survey tools for use in
revalidation. A summary statement about the survey tools which the
RCGP currently recommends for GPs can be accessed
here.
Information about Clinical Audit
The RCGP is anxious to ensure that the
quality of appraisal is consistent for everyone, and has developed
several papers to explain how the College can support this process.
These can be accessed here.
Information about Appraisal
The RCGP is anxious to ensure that the
quality of appraisal is consistent for everyone, and has developed
several papers to explain how the College can support this process.
These can be accessed here.
To provide feedback on any
aspect of Revalidation please click here.