MAP (Membership by Assessment of Performance)

What is MAP and what does it involve?

MAP is a portfolio-based assessment. Successful completion of MAP results in MRCGP.

Candidates complete a comprehensive portfolio of 13 criteria, using templates provided, covering all aspects of their practice.

Candidates submit sets of criteria (minimum of three criteria in a set) on an annual basis. All 13 Criteria must be submitted for assessment within five years from application date.

Candidates may still submit all 13 criteria for assessment in a set if they wish to achieve membership of the RCGP in an accelerated timeframe

After marking of each submission by a panel of MAP assessors (all experienced GPs) some candidates will be asked to attend an interview to discuss their submission.

The MAP flyer [PDF] provides an outline of the benefits of doing MAP.

Who is MAP for?

MAP has been designed for established GPs with a licence to practice and working in the United Kingdom who wish to attain MRCGP. MAP is the only route to membership for established GPs.

Why do MAP?

MAP is the only route to MRCGP for established GPs.

MAP will help with Revalidation. Five of the MAP criteria are required for Revalidation: quality improvement programmes, significant event audit, complaints and compliments, colleague feedback and patient feedback.

MAP candidates receive discounted associate RCGP membership for the period they are MAP candidates (maximum of five years), which brings with it benefits including publications and bulletins; The Online Learning Environment (OLE); courses and careers information; and networking opportunities, including the annual National Conference. For more details contact RCGP Membership at membership@rcgp.org.uk

MAP encourages you to take a step back from your day to day practice and reflect on what you are doing. Most candidates have found the whole process, not just the result of obtaining MRCGP, to be beneficial to their work.

How do I apply?

MAP application form [PDF]

The completed application form should be sent to the MAP Office, RCGP, 30 Euston Square, London, NW1 2FB. On receipt, eligibility checks will be carried out. The MAP office will then contact candidates by email with details of how to make online payment.

By applying for MAP candidates confirm that they have read, understood and agree the MAP regulations.

MAP regulations 2017 [PDF]

Flow chart for clinical governance cases [PDF]

How do I complete the MAP portfolio?

Download and fill in the portfolio template following the guidance in the MAP Handbook.

MAP Portfolio Template [Word]

MAP Handbook [PDF]

It is suggested that you set aside approximately 2 hours per week to work on your portfolio.

Previous candidates have reported that working for this amount of time, they have been able to prepare their portfolio in 6 to 9 months.

See the next FAQ on additional resources for more supporting information and guidance.

Before submitting, you should check the material fulfils the requirements stated in the document below

MAP Portfolio Submission Information [PDF]

When submitting material for assessment, MAP candidates must confirm that they have read, understood and agree the MAP regulations.

MAP regulations [PDF]

Which criteria should I submit together?

Candidates may group criteria together in any way they feel fits best. The following table is one suggestion. Groups of criteria may be submitted in any order.

Group 1	QIP, Referrals and good medical records
Group 2	Managing acute illness, urgent referrals to secondary care, Care of patients with long term conditions and SEA
Group 3	Ethical principles, prescribing, and compliments and complaints
Group 4	PSQ, MSF and Reflection on educational activities

What additional resources are there to help me?

For help compiling the MAP portfolio, see the guidance documents and sample portfolio below:

Planning and getting started with your MAP portfolio [PDF]

Getting the MAP portfolio right [PPT]

Further information on Quality improvement may be found in the RCGP Guide Quality improvement in General Practice

Sample MAP Portfolio

MAP Definition of scores

Before submitting your completed MAP portfolio, you should check the material fulfils the requirements stated in the document below

MAP Portfolio Submission Information [PDF]

Newsletters for candidates with helpful tips

MAP candidate newsletter May 2016 (spellcheck hint) [PDF]

MAP candidate newsletter August 2016 (table properties hint) [PDF]

MAP candidate newsletter October 2016 (section break hint) [PDF]

MAP candidate newsletter December 2016 (document insertion hint) [PDF]

MAP candidate newsletter August 2017 [PDF]

Is local help available?

Many local faculties run MAP information sessions and have MAP advisors who offer local support to candidates. Use the links below to find contact details for your local faculty.

Local Faculties

MAP events are held at locations throughout the UK. Enter MAP as the keyword in the Courses and Events search facility at the top of this page for details of upcoming dates.

If there are no upcoming MAP study days listed, please email the MAP team, who will add your name to the list of doctors to be contacted when the next study day is arranged.

How much does it cost?

The fees for MAP are as follows:

Application fee: £300 which includes the cost of submitting the first three criteria.

Submission fee: £100 per criterion for all subsequent criteria after the first three criteria.

Evaluation Panel (if required): £250

Associate Membership (not mandatory) £127.25 annually * which represents a discount of 75% from the normal rate. *subject to annual review. Membership fees are normally paid by direct debit.

All MAP related payments are made online. The MAP office will contact candidates with links to make payment at the relevant time.

How long do I have to finish the portfolio?

The first set of three criteria must be submitted within one year of application. Candidates will be advised of their submission deadline by email when eligibility is confirmed.

Evidence for your MAP portfolio must be no older than one year on the date it is submitted except for the five criteria common with revalidation (Significant Event Analysis, Quality Improvement Programmes, Complaints and Compliments, Colleague Feedback and Patient Feedback) which must be from your current revalidation cycle.

Which PSQ and MSF tools can I use?

Candidates will need to use tool(s) that meets the standards set out by the GMC. The following is a selection of tools available which are suitable for MAP, Revalidation and NHS appraisal

Patient Feedback

Colleague Feedback

See the RCGP Guide to Supporting information for appraisal and revalidation published in 2018 for more details about the GMC standards.

What is the process?

The MAP process is as follows:

Submit application form - MAP Application Form [PDF]

Download handbook and portfolio template - MAP Handbook [PDF]

Complete the templates you wish to submit for assessment, remove the blank templates - MAP Portfolio Template [Word]

Send the completed portfolio for assessment

Portfolios are marked by a pair of assessors according to the MAP definition of scores:

MAP definition of scores [PDF]

Marked submissions are returned to candidates by email from the MAP office and will contain guidance on any changes required. A maximum of two resubmission attempts are permitted.

Once a set of criteria completes the assessment process, they will be reviewed by a Recommendation Panel. Some candidates will subsequently be invited to attend an Evaluation Panel.

Further information about the panels may be found below and in the MAP Regulations

Once a candidate's final set of criteria has been successfully completed the assessment and review process above, the candidate will be recommended for membership.

Flow chart for Clinical governance cases [PDF]

What is the Recommendation Panel?

The role of the MAP Recommendation Panel is to review all submissions that have been assessed, including all those that have reached the limit for re-submissions but have not been marked as satisfactory in all criteria. The Recommendation Panel convenes at regular intervals throughout the year. Candidates who have submitted all criteria for assessment and have reached a satisfactory standard in all criteria in the judgment of the Panel will be eligible for membership of the RCGP.

Further information about the Recommendation Panel may be found in the MAP Regulations.

What is the Evaluation Panel?

Candidates whose submissions do not meet the required standard in the judgment of the MAP Recommendation Panel will be invited to attend an interview with an Evaluation Panel. These will be scheduled as necessary.

There is an additional fee of £250.00 for all candidates who attend the Evaluation Panel.

Further information about the Evaluation Panel may be found in the MAP Regulations.

What is the pass rate?

Over 1350 candidates have successfully completed iMAP/MAP.

The pass rate is 95% of candidates who submit their completed portfolio.

This is the complete list of passed candidates who have gained MRCGP from iMAP/MAP

Successful iMAP/MAP candidates [.XLS]

Who are the MAP Team?

The MAP Team is made up of:

Clinical Lead: Dr Clare Etherington

Panel Arbiter: Dr Elizabeth Nodder

35 MAP assessors: All GPs working in various working environments across the UK.

2 Lay Assessors: The role of the lay assessor is to ensure fairness and transparency in the process.

MAP Manager: Karen Bollan

MAP Officer: Russell Springett

MAP Administrator: Holly Brogden-Knight

Contact details for the MAP team may be found at the bottom of this page.

Contact us

Email: map@rcgp.org.uk
Tel: 020 3188 7661

Address:

MAP Team, RCGP
30 Euston Square
London NW1 2FB