Mythbusters introduction March 2019

The GMC provides the definitive guidance on supporting information for appraisal and revalidation. This guidance complements that with specific examples of supporting information that will help GPs satisfy the GMC’s requirements.

This information is intended for everyone involved in appraisal and revalidation:

• the individual GP
• the appraiser
• the RO.

We want to dispel some of the confusion that has been identified and clarify recommendations and requirements. We also want to provide an equal experience of appraisal and revalidation for all GPs, regardless of their context or geographical location.

This guidance is expected to be reviewed and updated regularly, so check our website for updates if you are unsure. Please contact us at revalidation@rcgp.org.uk if you find any of the clarifications unclear or you want more information.

Key Messages

• Your role in revalidation is to demonstrate that you are up-to-date and fit to practise.
• Your role in appraisal is to engage in a process that supports you as a GP, helping you to demonstrate your reflective practice and your continuing professional development, as well as facilitating quality improvements across your whole scope of practice.
• The way that you choose to record and demonstrate your supporting information should remain reasonable and proportionate, without detracting unduly from your patient care, or the leisure time that is necessary for remaining fit to practise.
• The GMC provides the definitive guidance about the requirements for revalidation. If you meet the GMC requirements that will be sufficient for successful revalidation.
• The RCGP (among others) provides guidance and recommendations to help GPs to understand how to interpret and satisfy the GMC requirements in a GP context, but RCGP recommendations are not additional requirements.
• The RCGP welcomes enquiries if there are areas that still cause confusion, or if new ‘myths’ are identified, and will use your feedback to update this document on a regular basis.
• Reflection is a process of looking back over knowledge, skills and performance and critically analysing what has been learned from CPD, cases, data, events or feedback, and then planning for any changes that need to be made as a result. As a professional, you will reflect on your practice all the time, both consciously and unconsciously, but not all reflection can be (or needs to be) documented.
• You should be selective in what you document in your portfolio of supporting information, choosing to include what is of particular importance to you and focusing on quality not quantity of supporting information.
• If you are not sure how to record your supporting information, or you are finding it too burdensome, talk to your appraiser. Appraisers are trained to help you to put together your portfolio in an efficient way.
• Well trained and supported appraisers can be a valuable resource. They have expertise in understanding the requirements for revalidation and in facilitating your reflection and professional development, by creating the protected time and space during appraisal to provide support, encouragement and stimulation.
• If you are working in an unusual context, and you are not sure what is appropriate for your circumstances, talk to your appraiser or responsible officer, as they have networks of peer support and the experience to help you to determine what would be appropriate in your case.
• If your circumstances mean that you will be demonstrating your continued competence in an unusual way, it is advisable to get prior written approval from your responsible officer and to include that in your appraisal portfolio.