Assessments and ARCP
Each trainee is supported by a structured appraisal and assessment process delivered by the Educational Supervisor and overseen by the Foundation School.
The appraisal consists of an initial interview and an end of term appraisal within each four or six-month post. A mid-term meeting may also occasionally be required if necessary. This process is consistent across F1 and F2.
For curriculum information, please see the UKFPO website.
A new version of the curriculum was published in June 2016 along with a new version of the Reference Guide, both of these documents are available on the UKFPO website.
ARCP
The Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) is a formal Foundation School process which uses the evidence gathered by you to assess your ability to complete training or to progress to the next level of the training programme.
It provides an effective mechanism for recording the evidence of your progress within the foundation training programme or in a recognised training post (fixed term specialty appointment or a locum appointment for training)
It provides a means to document and record the evidence and outcomes of formal assessments which are part of the assessment programme and to provide a coherent record of a trainee’s progress
For more information please see the ARCP tab.
Assessments
Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA)
- The PSA was developed jointly by the British Pharmacological Society and MSC Assessment
- It is intended to be a valid and reliable tool allowing medical graduates to demonstrate that they have achieved the core prescribing competencies
For more information please see the Prescribing Safety Assessment tab.
Standardised Computerised Revalidation Instrument for Prescribing and Therapeutics (SCRIPT)
- SCRIPT is an eLearning programme designed to improve prescribing competency
- There is a wide range of topics which are all relevant to foundation training
For more information please see the SCRIPT tab.
Horus ePortfolio assessment modalities include:
TAB is a screening tool to help identify foundation doctors who may need additional support. It is used early in foundation training so this can be identified as early as possible. However, in the majority of cases, no concerns are identified and TAB confirms good professional behaviour. A minimum of one TAB assessment is required per year.
Evaluation of an observed clinical encounter with developmental feedback provided immediately after the encounter. Six within FY1 and six within FY2 i.e. 2 per 4 month post. These should be completed by Consultants, GPs and experienced SpRs.
Structured checklist for the assessment of practical procedures. Six within FY1 and six within FY2 i.e. 2 per 4 month post. These can be done by Consultants, SpRs, GPs, Nurses or Allied Health Professionals.
Structured discussion of clinical cases managed by the trainee. Its particular strength is evaluation of clinical reasoning. Six within FY1 and six within FY2 i.e. 2 per 4 month post. These should be completed by a Consultant, preferably your Clinical Supervisor.
This consists of 15 required core procedures which must be assessed and recorded in the eportfolio. Each procedure must be done by a trained assessor and can not include FY1 doctors. (This log book replaces the previous DOP assessments, DOPs are now reserved for procedures not in the core list). All 15 procedures must be completed by the end of FY1 training in order to be signed off. FY2’s without the required competencies already, will need to complete the remainder of 15 core procedures on this new method before being signed off at the end of the year.
Within any placement, an individual healthcare professional is unlikely to build up a coherent picture of the overall performance of an individual foundation doctor.
Whenever possible, the named clinical supervisor will seek information from senior healthcare professionals who will work with the foundation doctor during the placement. These colleagues will function as a placement supervision group, commenting on the foundation doctor's clinical and professional practice.
The named clinical supervisor nominates the members of the PSG and is responsible for identifying them to the foundation doctor. The makeup of the placement supervision group will vary depending on the placement but is likely to include:
- Doctors more senior than F2, including at least one consultant or GP principal
- Senior nurses (band 5 or above)
- Ward pharmacists
- Allied health professionals
- In a general practice placement, the faculty may be limited to one or two GPs
Best practice would be to obtain a PSG for each placement in F1 and F2.
