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Revalidation for GPs
A collection of FAQs and resources on appraisal, revalidation and recertification for GPs
Frequently asked questions
Find out how BMJ Masterclasses can help you prepare for revalidation. Select a question from the list below, or scroll down to read them all.
What is revalidation and where does CPD sit?- How can BMJ Masterclasses help me to prepare for appraisal and revalidation?
- How can I make the most of my learning before attending a BMJ Masterclass?
- How can BMJ Masterclasses help me to increase the impact of my learning and to collect impact credits after the course?
- Are BMJ Masterclasses 'accredited' for CME/CPD?
What is revalidation and where does CPD sit?
From November 2009 all practising doctors in the UK will need both a licence to practise and a certificate to be either on the general practice or the specialist register. You will have to renew your licence and certification every 5 years in a revalidation process. As part of this process you will be subject to a more rigorous annual appraisal which will include more reflection, proof of learning, multi-source feedback and patient surveys. In addition, a system of 'credits' will be introduced for GPs as evidence of continued learning and its impact. Under this system GPs will need to gain 50 credits each year through various forms of learning (a total of 250 credits in each 5 year revalidation period).
How can BMJ Masterclasses help me to prepare for appraisal and revalidation?
BMJ Masterclasses give GPs and hospital doctors essential updates and practical tips on the latest evidence, important advances and issues that are relevant to their daily practice. Delegates will be sent a certificate of attendance after the course which will include the hours of education on the day.
For every hour of education you will be awarded one credit, so for 6 hours of education at a BMJ Masterclass you should be able to claim 6 credits. However, the credit system is not based purely on time spent learning but also on the outcome of that learning.
The RCGP learning credit pilot suggests that GPs can double their learning credits if they can show that it had a high impact on their patients and practice. This will be done by self-assessment and will be verified at their appraisal.
At a BMJ Masterclass, we provide all delegates with a 'track your learning' form that will help you to keep track of the impact of every session and to collect these extra credits.
How can I make the most of my learning before attending a BMJ Masterclass?
To help you to get out most of the day and to keep up with the impact credit system we have created a form that you can use to track and record your learning at BMJ Masterclasses. We will email you the form a few days before the BMJ Masterclass and recommend that you print it before the event. This enables you to go through the content for the day and to reflect on your learning needs in these areas.
Before attending you may wish to test and revise your knowledge by doing some relevant BMJ Learning modules as outlined in the email we send you before the event. You can also use Best Practice to research the latest evidence, and identify gaps in your knowledge and your learning needs.
How can BMJ Masterclasses help me to increase the impact of my learning and to collect impact credits after the course?
The RCGP learning credit pilot suggests that GPs can double their learning credits if they can show that a session of a course had a high impact on their patients and practice. Our speakers will give you ideas and suggestions on how to put key learning points into practice. We recommend that after attending you reflect on areas of change by revisiting your take home messages and action points on your notes and the BMJ Masterclasses 'track your learning' form. This could include ideas for an audit, a new resource that you have been made aware of, or ideas to improve how you deliver a service. We recommend you bring your completed 'track your learning' form to your next appraisal, elaborating on and rating the impact the different sessions of the day had on your practice.
You may also wish to join doc2doc for further discussions on subjects covered on the day and thereby enhance their impact.
Are BMJ Masterclasses 'accredited' for CME/CPD?
BMJ Masterclasses for GPs
There is no formal system in the UK for accreditation of courses for GPs, but an RCGP learning credit system is being piloted. It has been proposed that for the process of revalidation GPs will record the hours and impact of their educational activities, such as the BMJ Masterclass, to gain learning credits. The certificate you will receive after a BMJ Masterclass for GPs will state the hours of education delivered. These credits can then be increased after further reflection on the impact of the day. This will be done by self-assessment and will be verified at your appraisal.
BMJ Masterclasses – Ireland
In Ireland the BMJ Masterclass General Updates for GPs are CME accredited by the Irish College of GPs.
BMJ Masterclasses for Physicians
BMJ Masterclasses for Physicians are accredited by the RCP. The system requires the CPD provider, such as BMJ Masterclasses, to state how many hours have been delivered.
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