ARCP - In core medical training
This post is about ARCP in core medical training.
What is ARCP?
What happens in the ARCP?
Procedures:
Remember, if you have done a procedure needing assistance, you should get a formative DOPS done. However if you have performed it without any assistance and with limited supervision, get a summative DOPS done.
A formative DOPs assessment assesses the competency of a doctor ( ie there is no pass or fail). A summative DOPs assesses whether the doctor can perform it independently or not ( ie pass or fail). So get a summative DOPS done only when you are confident that you will pass the assessment.
For example, if you have passed a chest drain however your registrar/consultant had to take over as you were unable to pass it, then it is worth sending a formative DOPS. There will be some positive points and some learning points. Next time, go through this DOPS assessment when you pass another chest drain and then ask your registrar/consultant if they are happy to sign you off as a summative DOPS if you did not require any assistance.
MY ADVICE AND TIPS:1. Work on your portfolio from day 1.
2. Do not delay anything till the last few weeks/days. Your ES may be on annual leave during the last few days before your ARCP or you may be very busy on the ward during that time. So make sure you have everything sorted out before your interim review date ( which is usually 1 month before your ARCP date).
3. Ensure you have a meeting with your ES and have ensured that you have been signed off for everything. Keeping a print out of the ARCP decision aid with you during the meeting is helpful so that nothing is missed.
4. Complete your QIP before time. Think about a project and discuss it with your ES ASAP.
5. Give your exams on time, preferably in the first 6 months of your training.
6. Attend clinics from day 1! - Especially if you are working in a DGH where most of the clinics are consultant led.
7. Get assessments whenever you are on call, do a procedure, discuss a case with a consultant or registrar.
8. Be careful about the quantity of assessments. Ie you need 20 clinics, at least 4 MCRs, etc.
9. If you have any queries contact your ES. If you feel that your ES is not very up to date, contact the deanery secretaries.
This is my personal experience and it may vary from deanery to deanery and specialty to specialty. If you have any questions regarding this, it is best to contact your deanery or educational supervisor. I got an outcome 1 in my core medical training year 1.
FAQs
FAQs
What is ARCP?
ARCP stands for annual review of competence progression. It basically assesses the competencies of a trainee doctor. It ensures that the doctor is at par with a certain level of training which is required at his/her level.
Is it just for core medical training?
No, this is for every level of training.
Foundation training:
http://www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/pages/curriculum-eportfolio/foundation-ARCP
Core medical training and specialty training:
https://www.jrcptb.org.uk/training-certification/arcp-decision-aids
Is it just for core medical training?
No, this is for every level of training.
Foundation training:
http://www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/pages/curriculum-eportfolio/foundation-ARCP
Core medical training and specialty training:
https://www.jrcptb.org.uk/training-certification/arcp-decision-aids
What happens in the ARCP?
The programme directors of the deanery go through the e portfolio of the trainee doctors and give an outcome based on what evidence has been provided for their competencies.
Initially they go through the portfolio remotely, then advise the trainee on what competencies are missing and give him/her a few weeks to achieve them (this is known as an interim review). If the doctor is still not able to achieve them, then (s)he is called to a face to face meeting in which the program directors panel goes through the e portfolio of the trainee in more detail.
Is there a particular format for this?
Yes, it is available here:
https://www.jrcptb.org.uk/training-certification/arcp-decision-aids
What are the possible outcomes?
https://heeoe.hee.nhs.uk/node/872
There is so much in the portfolio. How do the program directors know what to go through?
This is why there is a curriculum in our portfolios and we have to tick ( and link) the relevant competencies. Whatever DOPS we have got and reflections we have done should be linked to the appropriate competencies in the curriculum.
We also have to upload our training day certificates, MRCP certificates to a special folder labelled as ARCP in the personal library ( click on profile and then personal library - upload your training day documents, MRCP exam results, ALS certificate, simulation course certificate, presentations, posters and QIP ).
If you do not do this, your program director will not know what you have achieved.
What is reflective practice?
You can reflect on the following:
Reflection on Management and Leadership experience
Reflective Practice After Events
Reflection on Clinical Event
Reflection on Learning during an Attachment
Reflection on Learning Event Teaching you have delivered
Audit
Research Publication
Attendance at organised teaching.
Avoid reflecting on events which may be used against you in court. Keep your reflective practice positive.
ARCP DECISION AID
Download and print the ARCP decision aids for your particular specialty at the start of your training. This is available here:
https://www.jrcptb.org.uk/training-certification/arcp-decision-aids
I am going to go through the specific sections of the ARCP decision aid (August, 2017) which I have personally experienced.
Please note that the decision aid is updated annually therefore always check online.
Educational Supervisor (ES) report
This is what your ES needs to do. However it is your duty to chase him/her in a timely manner ( preferably at least 2 weeks before the interim review) to ensure that (s)he does this.
This is a simple form which they need to fill. It is best to meet your ES before this so that (S)he is updated on what you have been doing so far.
Your ES will click on "progression" in the top bar of your NHS portfolio and click on supervisors report.
Remember to counter-sign it once your ES has filled this report.
Multiple Consultant Report (MCR)
Ensure that at least 4 different consultant have filled this out. This can also include your ES and CS.
Click on assessment forms in the top bar of your NHS profile and then click "ticket requests". Click on "request new assessment" and type in "MCR"- enter the email address of the consultant and a small message about your experience with them ( ie when you were on call together or when you saw his/her patients on the ward)
GIM Audit or GIM Quality improvement projects
This is a quality improvement project. Your ES must sign a Quality Improvement Project Assessment Tool Physician form ( Click on progression and scroll down- you will find it there).
In order for your supervisor to fill this, you must have filled a Quality Improvement Project Plan and Quality Improvement Project Report (both of these are available in the progression section of your portfolio).
So these are the steps:
1. Complete a QIP.
2. Fill out the "Quality Improvement Project Plan" yourself.
3. Fill out the "Quality Improvement Project Report" yourself.
4. Request your supervisor to fill a Quality Improvement Project Assessment Tool Physician form.
ALS
Ensure that you have uploaded your ALS certificate in:
1. The examinations and certificates section of your curriculum ( click on curriculum in the top bar of your portfolio and click on "Core Medical Training YAH309 (CMT curriculum 2009 (Amendments 2013))" - scroll down to Examinations and Certificates (enter date in comments box)
2. Certifcates and exams section ( click on profile and click on certificates and exams)
3. The ARCP folder in your personal library (Click on profile and then click on personal library).
Supervised Leaning Events (SLEs) - ACATs. CbDs, mini CEX
Start doing these from day 1! But be smart about it. If you have not seen at least 5 cases, then do not send your consultant a ticket.
You can send these to a registrar but there is a minimum number of consultants who need to sign you off - which is 10.
Click on assessment forms in the top bar of your NHS profile and then click "ticket requests". Click on "request new assessment" and type in the relevant assessment form- enter the email address of the consultant and a small message about your experience with them ( ie when you were on call together or when you saw his/her patients on the ward)
Multi-source feedback (MSF)
Send these forms to everyone - FY1s, FY2s, your colleagues, registrars, ward clerks, OTs, PTs, pharmacists, registrars. The minimum number should be 12 with at least 3 consultants.
Click on assessment forms in the top bar of your NHS profile and then click "ticket requests". Click on "request new assessment" and type in "MSF"- enter the email address of the consultant and a small message about your experience with them ( ie when you were on call together or when you saw his/her patients on the ward).
Remember that these MSFs should be within the last 3 months.
Common Competencies:
Initially they go through the portfolio remotely, then advise the trainee on what competencies are missing and give him/her a few weeks to achieve them (this is known as an interim review). If the doctor is still not able to achieve them, then (s)he is called to a face to face meeting in which the program directors panel goes through the e portfolio of the trainee in more detail.
Is there a particular format for this?
Yes, it is available here:
https://www.jrcptb.org.uk/training-certification/arcp-decision-aids
What are the possible outcomes?
https://heeoe.hee.nhs.uk/node/872
There is so much in the portfolio. How do the program directors know what to go through?
This is why there is a curriculum in our portfolios and we have to tick ( and link) the relevant competencies. Whatever DOPS we have got and reflections we have done should be linked to the appropriate competencies in the curriculum.
We also have to upload our training day certificates, MRCP certificates to a special folder labelled as ARCP in the personal library ( click on profile and then personal library - upload your training day documents, MRCP exam results, ALS certificate, simulation course certificate, presentations, posters and QIP ).
If you do not do this, your program director will not know what you have achieved.
What is reflective practice?
You can reflect on the following:
Reflection on Management and Leadership experience
Reflective Practice After Events
Reflection on Clinical Event
Reflection on Learning during an Attachment
Reflection on Learning Event Teaching you have delivered
Audit
Research Publication
Attendance at organised teaching.
Avoid reflecting on events which may be used against you in court. Keep your reflective practice positive.
ARCP DECISION AID
Download and print the ARCP decision aids for your particular specialty at the start of your training. This is available here:
https://www.jrcptb.org.uk/training-certification/arcp-decision-aids
I am going to go through the specific sections of the ARCP decision aid (August, 2017) which I have personally experienced.
Please note that the decision aid is updated annually therefore always check online.
Educational Supervisor (ES) report
This is what your ES needs to do. However it is your duty to chase him/her in a timely manner ( preferably at least 2 weeks before the interim review) to ensure that (s)he does this.
This is a simple form which they need to fill. It is best to meet your ES before this so that (S)he is updated on what you have been doing so far.
Your ES will click on "progression" in the top bar of your NHS portfolio and click on supervisors report.
Remember to counter-sign it once your ES has filled this report.
Multiple Consultant Report (MCR)
Ensure that at least 4 different consultant have filled this out. This can also include your ES and CS.
Click on assessment forms in the top bar of your NHS profile and then click "ticket requests". Click on "request new assessment" and type in "MCR"- enter the email address of the consultant and a small message about your experience with them ( ie when you were on call together or when you saw his/her patients on the ward)
GIM Audit or GIM Quality improvement projects
This is a quality improvement project. Your ES must sign a Quality Improvement Project Assessment Tool Physician form ( Click on progression and scroll down- you will find it there).
In order for your supervisor to fill this, you must have filled a Quality Improvement Project Plan and Quality Improvement Project Report (both of these are available in the progression section of your portfolio).
So these are the steps:
1. Complete a QIP.
2. Fill out the "Quality Improvement Project Plan" yourself.
3. Fill out the "Quality Improvement Project Report" yourself.
4. Request your supervisor to fill a Quality Improvement Project Assessment Tool Physician form.
ALS
Ensure that you have uploaded your ALS certificate in:
1. The examinations and certificates section of your curriculum ( click on curriculum in the top bar of your portfolio and click on "Core Medical Training YAH309 (CMT curriculum 2009 (Amendments 2013))" - scroll down to Examinations and Certificates (enter date in comments box)
2. Certifcates and exams section ( click on profile and click on certificates and exams)
3. The ARCP folder in your personal library (Click on profile and then click on personal library).
Supervised Leaning Events (SLEs) - ACATs. CbDs, mini CEX
Start doing these from day 1! But be smart about it. If you have not seen at least 5 cases, then do not send your consultant a ticket.
You can send these to a registrar but there is a minimum number of consultants who need to sign you off - which is 10.
Click on assessment forms in the top bar of your NHS profile and then click "ticket requests". Click on "request new assessment" and type in the relevant assessment form- enter the email address of the consultant and a small message about your experience with them ( ie when you were on call together or when you saw his/her patients on the ward)
Multi-source feedback (MSF)
Send these forms to everyone - FY1s, FY2s, your colleagues, registrars, ward clerks, OTs, PTs, pharmacists, registrars. The minimum number should be 12 with at least 3 consultants.
Click on assessment forms in the top bar of your NHS profile and then click "ticket requests". Click on "request new assessment" and type in "MSF"- enter the email address of the consultant and a small message about your experience with them ( ie when you were on call together or when you saw his/her patients on the ward).
Remember that these MSFs should be within the last 3 months.
Common Competencies:
The common competencies are visible in your curriculum. You can link MRCP exam certificates, ACATs, CBDs, DOPs, reflections, simulation courses, conferences to each competency however avoid repetition ( ie do not link one reflective practice to all competencies- just the relevant one)
Your ES is to confirm evidence attached for at least 4 competencies and stage 1 level completed (see guidance notes on levels of training).
So, to summarize these are the steps:
1. Get SLEs signed off by your senior colleagues and reflect upon cases which you find interesting.
2. Link these to the relevant curriculum items in your portfolio - ensure that there is a variety of links rather than just one form linked to multiple competencies.
3. Request your ES to sign you off for the competencies you have linked.
Emergency Presentations
As above - however remember that your ES needs to sign you off for each of these competencies.
Top Presentations
As above. ES to confirm that stage 1 level completed and evidence is recorded for at least 11 presentations.
Progress to be determined by sampling trainee’s evidence and self-ratings. ES to record rating at group level with justification
Other Important Presentations
Progress to be determined by sampling trainee’s evidence and self-ratings. ES to record rating at group level with justification
Clinical activity:
Your ES is to confirm evidence attached for at least 4 competencies and stage 1 level completed (see guidance notes on levels of training).
So, to summarize these are the steps:
1. Get SLEs signed off by your senior colleagues and reflect upon cases which you find interesting.
2. Link these to the relevant curriculum items in your portfolio - ensure that there is a variety of links rather than just one form linked to multiple competencies.
3. Request your ES to sign you off for the competencies you have linked.
Emergency Presentations
As above - however remember that your ES needs to sign you off for each of these competencies.
Top Presentations
As above. ES to confirm that stage 1 level completed and evidence is recorded for at least 11 presentations.
Progress to be determined by sampling trainee’s evidence and self-ratings. ES to record rating at group level with justification
Other Important Presentations
Progress to be determined by sampling trainee’s evidence and self-ratings. ES to record rating at group level with justification
Clinical activity:
A template is available here:
https://www.jrcptb.org.uk/specialties/core-medical-training-and-acute-care-common-stem-medicine
This is an excel file: Template for recording procedures and clinics CMT August 2017.xlsx
Core medical trainees are expected to log the clinics and procedures they have done and upload it to the ARCP section of the personal library.
https://www.jrcptb.org.uk/specialties/core-medical-training-and-acute-care-common-stem-medicine
This is an excel file: Template for recording procedures and clinics CMT August 2017.xlsx
Core medical trainees are expected to log the clinics and procedures they have done and upload it to the ARCP section of the personal library.
Procedures:
Remember, if you have done a procedure needing assistance, you should get a formative DOPS done. However if you have performed it without any assistance and with limited supervision, get a summative DOPS done.
A formative DOPs assessment assesses the competency of a doctor ( ie there is no pass or fail). A summative DOPs assesses whether the doctor can perform it independently or not ( ie pass or fail). So get a summative DOPS done only when you are confident that you will pass the assessment.
For example, if you have passed a chest drain however your registrar/consultant had to take over as you were unable to pass it, then it is worth sending a formative DOPS. There will be some positive points and some learning points. Next time, go through this DOPS assessment when you pass another chest drain and then ask your registrar/consultant if they are happy to sign you off as a summative DOPS if you did not require any assistance.
ARCP FOLDER:
Click on "profile" and then click on "personal library". These are the documents you must upload to that folder:
1. Form R - Both part A and part B. This may be different for each deanery therefore Google your deanery and form R. If you cannot find it, then contact your deanery.
Click on "profile" and then click on "personal library". These are the documents you must upload to that folder:
1. Form R - Both part A and part B. This may be different for each deanery therefore Google your deanery and form R. If you cannot find it, then contact your deanery.
2. CMT regional teaching days - You must attend 80% of these.
3. MRCP results
4. ALS certificate
5. Any posters/presentations/teaching certificates.
MY ADVICE AND TIPS:1. Work on your portfolio from day 1.
2. Do not delay anything till the last few weeks/days. Your ES may be on annual leave during the last few days before your ARCP or you may be very busy on the ward during that time. So make sure you have everything sorted out before your interim review date ( which is usually 1 month before your ARCP date).
3. Ensure you have a meeting with your ES and have ensured that you have been signed off for everything. Keeping a print out of the ARCP decision aid with you during the meeting is helpful so that nothing is missed.
4. Complete your QIP before time. Think about a project and discuss it with your ES ASAP.
5. Give your exams on time, preferably in the first 6 months of your training.
6. Attend clinics from day 1! - Especially if you are working in a DGH where most of the clinics are consultant led.
7. Get assessments whenever you are on call, do a procedure, discuss a case with a consultant or registrar.
8. Be careful about the quantity of assessments. Ie you need 20 clinics, at least 4 MCRs, etc.
9. If you have any queries contact your ES. If you feel that your ES is not very up to date, contact the deanery secretaries.
10. Make sure you apply for study leave in advance for your core medical training teaching days. You have to attend 80% of these. ( This percentage may vary from deanery to deanery and may change annually so confirm this during your CMT induction day)
11. Most of this advice will also be given in your core medical training induction. So there is no excuse that you cannot achieve an outcome 1 provided you are organized.
11. Most of this advice will also be given in your core medical training induction. So there is no excuse that you cannot achieve an outcome 1 provided you are organized.
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