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Q&A: Doctor testing | Q&A: Doctor testing |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The government is pushing ahead with what is being dubbed the biggest shake-up in doctor regualation for 150 years. | The government is pushing ahead with what is being dubbed the biggest shake-up in doctor regualation for 150 years. |
Every medic will face a five-yearly MOT following concerns doctors could go a whole career without being properly checked. | Every medic will face a five-yearly MOT following concerns doctors could go a whole career without being properly checked. |
What happens currently? | What happens currently? |
Doctors undergo an annual appraisal system, which deals with things such as their prescribing habits, career development and general performance, as well as any personal problems. | |
However, England's chief medical officer Sir LIam Donaldson has branded the system "patchy" and not fit for practice. | However, England's chief medical officer Sir LIam Donaldson has branded the system "patchy" and not fit for practice. |
It is thought some trusts are not carrying out the appraisals every year, while there is a lack of consistency about how rigourous they are in places they are done. | It is thought some trusts are not carrying out the appraisals every year, while there is a lack of consistency about how rigourous they are in places they are done. |
In particular, Sir Liam wants to see feedback from patients to play more of a role. | In particular, Sir Liam wants to see feedback from patients to play more of a role. |
But beyond that doctors effectively face no testing. Critics often cite the example of pilots who can face 100 assessments during their career. | But beyond that doctors effectively face no testing. Critics often cite the example of pilots who can face 100 assessments during their career. |
Why is this changing? | Why is this changing? |
The issue of doctor testing has been talked about for years. The General Medical Council first drew up proposals in the late 1990s. | The issue of doctor testing has been talked about for years. The General Medical Council first drew up proposals in the late 1990s. |
But the debate gathered momentum following the Dr Harold Shipman case. | But the debate gathered momentum following the Dr Harold Shipman case. |
The inquiry into the murders criticised the regulation of doctors, saying it was not focused enough on patients. | The inquiry into the murders criticised the regulation of doctors, saying it was not focused enough on patients. |
This has led to plans to strip the GMC of many of its powers. But the spotlight on regulation also highlighted the anomaly about doctors not facing testing. | This has led to plans to strip the GMC of many of its powers. But the spotlight on regulation also highlighted the anomaly about doctors not facing testing. |
However, the 'MOT system' is not designed to catch another Shipman - he may well have passed tests judging his competency as a doctor. | However, the 'MOT system' is not designed to catch another Shipman - he may well have passed tests judging his competency as a doctor. |
What is the new system? | What is the new system? |
There are two strands to what is called the five-year revalidation. | There are two strands to what is called the five-year revalidation. |
Firstly, there is relicensing which all doctors will undergo and will be based on a strenthened annual appraisal process. | Firstly, there is relicensing which all doctors will undergo and will be based on a strenthened annual appraisal process. |
It will be designed to assess the basic competency of a doctor. | It will be designed to assess the basic competency of a doctor. |
But those doctors practising in specialities, such as GPs and hospital consultants, will face another process on top. | But those doctors practising in specialities, such as GPs and hospital consultants, will face another process on top. |
This will be called recertification and could involve computer simulation tests. | This will be called recertification and could involve computer simulation tests. |
If doctors fail, they will be forced to under go extra training, more testing and may even be struck off. | If doctors fail, they will be forced to under go extra training, more testing and may even be struck off. |
Both parts of revalidation will be overseen by what the government is calling a responsible officer. This is likely to be the medical director of the individual NHS trust, who will be supported by a local GMC official. | Both parts of revalidation will be overseen by what the government is calling a responsible officer. This is likely to be the medical director of the individual NHS trust, who will be supported by a local GMC official. |
When will it happen? | When will it happen? |
It is still very much in the planning process. | It is still very much in the planning process. |
Over the next 18 months, various parts of revalidation will be drawn up, consulted on and piloted with full roll out to follow in 2010. | Over the next 18 months, various parts of revalidation will be drawn up, consulted on and piloted with full roll out to follow in 2010. |
However, Sir Liam warned some parts of it may be ready earlier or later than that and the devolved administrations are yet to decide on their exact timetable. | However, Sir Liam warned some parts of it may be ready earlier or later than that and the devolved administrations are yet to decide on their exact timetable. |
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