Junior doctors' training appeal

19 March 2010

JUNIOR doctors should not be penalised if poor training opportunities affect their competency level.

Doctors discussed the issue at the European Working Time Directive and Training Conference, run by the BMA, in London. They talked about the idea of giving trainees a no-fault outcome in their ARCPs (annual reviews of competence progression).

This option would apply to trainees who have not reached required competency levels because they missed opportunities such as theatre session because they were needed elsewhere.

The ARCP is an annual review of a junior doctor’s progression through training. It is conducted by a panel of assessors who use a number of factors including appraisals.

It was argued at the conference that assessments must acknowledge those trainees who have done all they can to meet requirements, but have fallen short through no fault of their own. It was agreed by conference delegates that no-fault ARCP would help highlight units that did not deliver high-quality training.

Other issues discussed included trainees being more involved in designing rotas, improved commissioning and better co-ordinated shift handovers.