Medical Appraisal

An annual appraisal is a demonstration of your fitness to practice along with the understanding of your professional development needs. It facilitates a self-review of your medical practice through evidences and supporting information.

Objectives of medical appraisal

- Reflects individual practice and performance with a chosen appraiser to demonstrate they're up to date and fit to practice 

- Help doctors to make Professional Development Plan (PDP) 

- Ensures doctors understand organisational priorities 

- To identify learning needs

The General Medical Council (GMC) has a framework for appraisal and revalidation based on different groups of doctors. Doctors are expected to address their responsibilities according to their defined group.

Junior Doctors

Junior doctors or doctors in training revalidation is based on the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP). They do not need to participate in annual appraisal as described in the guidance.

Clinical Academics

Clinical Academics annual appraisal process is outlined in the same guidance as above i.e. Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP). A set of principles has been set to integrate the responsibilities for clinical academics staffs in appraisal, disciplinary and reporting arrangements.

Appraisal and Revalidation

Revalidation is the process by which the GMC acknowledge that a doctor is up to date and fit to practice. Every licensed doctor in the UK must revalidate themselves in 5 years of their registration. The GMC's revalidation is based on the doctor's day-to-day clinical work processes and regular appraisal.

In the final year of 5 years of registration, a doctor must have each year's annual appraisal. These appraisals must be reviewed and discussed with an Appraiser and a Responsible Officer. Responsible officer recommends for revalidation after confirming all the evidences and supporting information of the appraisal to the GMC.

The RO must inform the GMC beforehand, if found any concerns relating to a doctor's fitness to practice, refusal to engage in the revalidation process or need of a rescheduling.

The General Medical Council (GMC) will inform you twice about your revalidation date. One to confirm all the GMC details nine months prior to the due date. And another one as a reminder around 3 months prior to the revalidation date.

Stages of an appraisal

Annual appraisal is a compilation of supporting information and evidences relevant to your scope and nature of work. An appraiser review and discuss your appraisal in a brief formal meeting. Your appraiser can help you with the detailed guidance of all the stages in medical appraisal process.

Stage 1 Inputs into appraisal

- 4 weeks before: agree a time and a place to meet with an appraiser with all supporting evidence 

- 2 weeks before: complete documentation and send it to the appraiser

Stage 2 Appraisal Discussions

- At the meet: discuss supporting evidence and agree on a development needs

Stage 3: Outputs of Appraisal

- Within 2 weeks of meet: complete appraisal forms and submit summary and PDF file to the Clinical Director and RO.