Annual Review Of Competence Progression Research Articles

Trainees' perception of the Annual Review of Competence Progression: 2-year survey

Aims and methodThe Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) is a process of checking and evaluating evidence of competency attainment collected by a trainee over the preceding year. There has been no study evaluating trainees' perception of this new process. Two cross-sectional electronic surveys were conducted a year apart in the north of England. Out of 92 psychiatry trainees 58 (63%) completed the survey in 2008; 60 (63%) out of 96 trainees completed the second round in 2009.ResultsOver the year there was a significant improvement in trainees' perception of the new process: 75% of respondents highlighted non-availability of a list of acceptable evidence for the portfolio in 2008, which reduced to 22% in 2009 (P <0.001). The percentage of trainees facing difficulty in accessing the electronic portal reduced from 73 to 28% (P <0.001). The trainees continued to express the need for explicit feedback at ARCP and improved training of the assessors in addition to other parameters.Clinical implicationsThe process of ARCP seems to have become robust over the year studied. There is scope for further refining of the process according to trainees' needs.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery course

The annual Bristol functional endoscopic sinus surgery course is aimed at surgical trainees involved in sinus or skull base surgery. The course is mainly for ear, nose, and throat surgeons in training, but it will also appeal to neurosurgeons and maxillofacial surgeons. This year delegates came from Southampton, London, Manchester, Preston, and Bristol. I went on this course at specialty training year 3 level, although doing it at an early stage would have allowed me to start sinus surgery sooner. Other attendees included specialty trainees years 3 to 6, clinical fellows, and associate specialists. It is not mandatory to go on a sinus surgery course, but consultants are increasingly keen for their junior doctors to attend such a course before doing any type of sinus surgery. Attendance at a course like the functional endoscopic sinus surgery course also helps to form part of the annual review of competence progression and record of in-training assessment that takes place for surgical trainees each year. Aside from the formal reasons for attendance, most importantly this course allows trainees to gain confidence when operating close …

Not so lovely RITA

<b>Kathy Oxtoby</b> finds that the annual review of competence progression (ARCP) has not solved the problems of the old style training records, and that doctors calling for change are well supported

Undertake the Annual Review of Competence Progression: policy and procedures

Undertake the Annual Review of Competence Progression: policy and procedures