Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP)

Please use the navigation on the left and below for further information about ARCP in KSS Deanery:

• ARCP Requirements
• ARCP ePortfolio Review
• ARCP Outcome 1
• ARCP Outcome 3

The Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) is a mechanism of reviewing and recording your progression through the Obstetrics & Gynaecology training programme. The process is two-way and is also an opportunity for the Training Programme Director to establish whether your requirements are being met.

ARCP is a vital part of the training programme and unless an “outcome one” (i.e. satisfactory completion of training) is attained at the end of each year of training; you will be unable to progress to the next year/ level of specialty training.

 The KSS Deanery has developed a few videos documenting the ARCP process. Please click on the links below:

• ARCP ePortfolio Review (this is the review that takes place with the panel prior to the trainee entering the room)
• ARCP Outcome 1 
• ARCP Outcome 3

Interim Reviews

Prior to your ten-month ARCP during each training year, you will be required to attend a meeting with the Head of School, Training Programme Director, a second School Member and an external representative to discuss your progress to date and review your ePortfolio.  This meeting will not form part of the ACRP but is a requirement of training within the region in this speciality. 

 The proposed dates for the 2012 ARCPs

 Below are the months that ARCPs for the 2011 / 2012 academic year take place, the exact dates will be confirmed within your first month of starting in post. Please ensure that as soon as you receive these dates you put them in your diary and do not book any leave on these dates. Specific time slots will be allocated nearer the time. As you will be given advance notice of these essential ARCP’s any failure to attend will only be accepted in highly exceptional circumstances and must be ratified by the Head of School.

• ST1s     Interim Review 27th June 2012
• ST1s     ARCP 27th September 2012

The purpose of an ARCP

Within KSS, our aim is for doctors in training to be safe, to develop the habits of ‘life-long’ learning and to achieve appropriate standards of practice.  By regulating the progress of doctors in training, the ARCP process protects patients and directs the training process.  During the ARCP a panel meets to:

• Review training to date, particularly since the previous ARCP/Interim Review
• Ensure that the future training will be of maximum benefit
• Identify any deficits in knowledge and skills
• Ensure that all requirements can be satisfied before moving onto the next level of training / completion of training programme
• Ensure that career plans are realistic

 The ARCP Panel is usually made up of:

• PG Dean/Head of School/Training Programme Director
• Training Programme Director/Associate Postgraduate Dean
• Trust Representative
• Lay Member
• External Trainer
• 2 Academic Representatives*
• Military Representative*

*this is only relevant if you are an academic/military trainee. 

 Form R

 Newly appointed trainees should receive a Form R from the KSS Deanery to register their details. Trainees are then required to complete a new form R at the start of each training year.

ARCP Guidance 2011

Section 1 is an update on the RCOG curriculum and expectations for the ARCP.

Section 2 details the KSS Deanery expectations of a trainee to achieve a successful end of year review. Please read this very carefully and ensure you bring all the necessary documentation and / or your e-portfolio is up to date.

ALL core trainees should have received an A5 pocket logbook from the RCOG to obtain signatures as this is not yet possible on the e-portfolio. Please make sure you have it completed and bring it with you.

Section 1:

Changes in the RCOG Curriculum and ARCP Requirements

a. Logbook Requirements

The logbook uses three levels of skill acquisition as trainees move towards independent practice. Previously, the following terminology was used to confirm progress towards competency: ‘Observation’,‘Direct Supervision’ and ‘Independent Practice’. Levels of skill acquisition will now be termed: ‘Level 1’, ‘Level 2’and ‘Level 3’

Level 1 (previously ‘Observation’): ‘Trainee demonstrates detailed knowledge and understanding and is aware of common complications/issues relating to the competence/clinical skill/situation’.

Level 2 (previously ‘Direct Supervision’): ‘Trainee is capable of performing the task or managing the clinical problem but with senior support’.

Level 3 (previously ‘Independent Practice’): ‘To be deemed competent, the majority of cases are managed with no direct supervision or assistance (senior support will be requested in certain complex cases/complications)’.

b. OSATS

To be shown to be competent trainees must have been signed off as independently competent on three occasions by at least two senior trainers, one of which must be a consultant before a trainee can have the relevant logbook competence signed off as Level 3 (competent for independent practice).

Laparoscopy Management of Ectopic Pregnancy, Module 7, Surgical Procedures

A new OSATS, Laparoscopy management of ectopic pregnancy has now been included in the curriculum. Trainees will be expected to be signed off as competent for independent practice by the end of ST5 and before progression to ST6 Advanced training. (This is a recommendation for progression to advanced training in 2011 but achievement of competencies will become mandatory for entry into ST6 advanced training from 2012).

Achieving competence using different methodologies

When trainees do not see rarer clinical presentations to develop competency, it would not be beneficial to remove these rare occurrences from the curriculum. Trainees and trainers must be aware that in such circumstances (and only these circumstances), trainees need not be seen to observe or do the relevant procedure in order to be successfully assessed and in order to progress through training. Instead, alternative training methods should be used (drills, simulation, e learning) and case-based discussion assessments should be completed until all requirements of the assessment are met. When signing off a trainee using the above approach, trainers must mark ‘OM’ i.e. other methodology alongside their signature.

Abortion care- knowledge criteria and conscientious objection

There may be conscientious objection to the acquisition of certain skills within the contraception and abortion components, this does not mean that meeting the knowledge criteria is not required. Skills targets not attempted for these reasons should be clearly recorded in the logbook (within the logbook, it is necessary for trainers to mark ‘CO’ (conscientious objection) alongside skills not acquired)and signed by a trainer. Evidence of knowledge should be presented within a trainees’ portfolio in the form of case-based discussions.

c. Core Module 15: Sexual and Reproductive Health

From August 2011, completion of the e-SRH modules will be mandatory for all trainees progressing from ST5 to ST6 (advanced training). The RCOG entry criteria for MRCOG Part 2 no longer requires attendance at family planning session. From August 2010, trainees commencing the programme at ST1 should ideally complete the e-SRH by the end of ST2, but should have definitely completed it by the end of ST5 training.

Trainees are encouraged to complete the full Diploma of the FSRH (DFSRH), of which the e-learning component (e-SRH) forms the theoretical basis, however it is accepted that access to practical training can be difficult.

d. Newly Integrated Frameworks

Following a recommendation from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and the GMC the RCOG have integrated three comprehensive frameworks into the curriculum:

· Common competency framework competences

· Medical leadership framework competences

· Health inequality framework competences

(colour coded key highlights where specific competences from the frameworks have been added to the curriculum)

Core Module 1: Basic Clinical Skills

The aim of module 1 is to develop sound clinical skills by the end of ST2; the module has been enhanced to only include components from the frameworks that align with these aims. Module 1: Basic Clinical Skills’ has been renamed to ‘Clinical Skills’ to reflect the need for development of basic clinical skills already achieved at Medical School and Foundation level.

Core Module 19: Developing Professionalism

Core module 19: Professional Development has been renamed to Developing Professionalism. Relevant competencies will be reinforced and underpinned throughout the entire core curriculum.

Section 2:

KSS ARCP Requirements & Expectations

All documentation should be present and up to date on Eportfolio at least 5 working days prior to the date of the ARCP meeting. This allows sufficient time for panel members to review trainee competencies prior to the ARCP panel meeting. Insufficient evidence available on Eportfolio after this deadline may result in the issue of an ARCP Outcome 5 at the panel meeting; ‘Incomplete evidence presented – additional training time may be required’.

OSATS:

In order to confirm competence, the following is required at all training levels:

Three separate OSATS signed off as competent for independent practice by two different senior trainers of which at least one must be a consultant.

Trainees will not be considered to have met Level 3 competencies with anything less than the above.