Updated RCGP e-portfolio guidance has just been released

This updated excellent summary from the RCGP is concise and has lots of screen shots of the e-portfolio making it easy to follow. It contains all the elements of version 2, 3 and 3.1. The new updated Registrar's guide to the e-portfolio (click).

5/9/08

Autumn School - Yorkshire Deanery

Contact Leanne (click) at the Deanery for more details

27/8/08

Two useful websites from NZ have been recommended by our Registrars

www.dermnet.org.nz which has quizzes, learning modules, a wealth of patient information leaflets and a loads of photos of dermatological conditions.

The ECG Library - a website with lots of examples of abnormal ECGs.

Why not have a look at our useful links page?

23/8/08

InnovAIT magazine - useful for Trainers as well as Registrars

InnovAiT is a journal which all GP Registrars receive on a monthly basis from the RCGP. It rotates through the whole curriculum for the nMRCGP on a three year cycle.

Each issue covers two clinical themes, and one non-clinical area alongside a news section highlighting important new policies, research and guidelines affecting GPs. In addition to this and editorials, the Journal has two regular columns: ‘From the Trainer’ providing guidance to supplement that provided by the AiT’s real-world trainer, and a column on exam tips from a recently qualified GP. Each issue also features ‘applied knowledge test’ questions and answers. 

So don't forget to open the packet and have a look!

18/8/08

Trainer re-approval does not have to feel like this!

The GP Trainer re-approval process has recently changed in 2008.  Trainers are now being asked to attend a two day Teaching Quality Assurance Seminar (TQA).  This seminar forms part of the new GP Trainer re-approval process and takes the place of the routine practice visit which often had limited time for review and discussion of teaching, trainer and practice development.

Read more about it in our Trainer re-approval webpage (click).

15/8/08

Less Than Full Time Training

The guidance on the minimum number of Work Place Based Assessments has been changed from August 2008 by the RCGP!

The requirement for MSF and PSQ prior to each six month review in ST1 and ST3 will be changed so that for less than full time trainees MSF and PSQ will be presented at the review that represents the mid and end point review for ST1 and ST3 respectively. This ensures that there is sufficient time for appropriate feedback and any necessary change in behaviour.

The schedule with respect to DOPs, Mini CEX, CBD and COTs remains the same. RCGP 8/08

See an example of a schedule for 50% LTFTT (click) or go to the LTFTT part of the RCGP website (click).

15/08/08

The excellent London RCGP Preparation Course for the CSA Module (17th  & 18th of December)

A must for anyone sitting the nMRCGP, this two day preparation course familiarises delegates with the assessment process for the CSA module. At the end of the course, you will: have an understanding of the consultation model, be able to apply ethical frameworks to clinical situations, have gained experience in consulting with simulated patients, develop an understanding of how the cases are marked. There is a pool of ten mock cases being used in courses nationwide. Delegates should bear this mind if they have already attended a similar course. Members: £330 Non Members: £450

Location = CSA centre, No 1 Croydon, 12-16 Addiscombe Road, Croydon CRO OXT, Tel 020 7344 3124 / 3119  or e-mail (click).

Don't forget to look ar our Courses page (click).

8/8/08

Long term locum to cover maternity leave required at SunnyBank M/C Wyke Bradford

Any of you out there who are just finishing but still have no job? We are looking for a full timer or a combination of part timers to cover six months of maternity leave.

Contact our Practice Manager Susan on 01274 424333.

Matt

31/7/08

Say hallo, wave goodbye

For GP Trainers we have a structured reference template (click) from our Tools for Improving Training webpage which ensures a global assessment of a Registrar's competencies. Furthermore, we have lots of useful downloads for Trainers and Practice managers to facilitate GP Registrar induction (click).

31/7/08

Basic financial planning and the NHS pension scheme explained

Whether you're starting or finishing your training scheme it's essential to get to grips with NHS sickness & pension benefits and basic financial planning. So, have a look at our new web pages which cut through the confusing terminology of financial planning (click) and the NHS pension scheme (click).

26/7/08

Pennine's Young Practitioner Group

This group, set up by Dr Ramesh Edara, is aimed at GPs who have qualified in the last five years and are working in the Pennine area (Calderdale and Kirklees) and those coming off the Pennine scheme. Ramesh started Pennine's Young Practitioner Group in 2007 with the aim of providing networking, mutual support, education and preventing professional isolation.

Why not look at the PYPG web page for more details!

25/7/08

More NICE guidelines!

Following the 'fire and forget' approach with simvastatin 40mg for lipid management in primary prevention and the 'treat to target' (Chol < 4 and LDL <2) in secondary prevention NICE have brought out some new guidelines which alter management in Primary Care:

Gestational diabetes:

• Fasting blood sugar (six weeks postnatal) and then annual thereafter.
• Metformin is safe to use in pregnancy.
• ANC flow charts - what should be done by when.

TIA:

• Aspirin 300mg for two weeks starting immediately, stepping down to 75mg there after.
• Using the ABCD score (click) to define who needs admission and who can wait to be investigated within the next 7 days.

24/7/08

Making the e-portfolio work for you

An excellent summary irrespective of where you are in your training, detailing the do and the don'ts for making the most of your e-portfolio.

Also a 'must read' for Trainers, Educational Supervisors and Programme Directors organising their induction courses!

Click e-portfolio pearls to download.

22/7/08

Making IT and Gadgets work for you

Read AJs guide to gadgets which can help you master the time management and organisational skills which are essential for modern General Practice. You can find it in the Being a GP  section of the website or just click here.

12/7/08

Meet our Web Page Guardians

Dead links, out of date downloads and missing important resources are the downfall of many web sites. Pennine avoids this as our Registrars have elected to become Web Page Guardians (click), each choosing two or more different web pages with the remit to keep them up to date.

Every six months they swap pages bringing new enthusiasm and resources to the site.

8/7/08

Pennine now has a password protected confidential forum for Registrars and Trainers.

It has a Buy & Sell thread, recommendations of courses, books and resources as well as discussions relating to Training and medicine.

Please sign up to the invitation you will receive by e-mail, as we need a critical mass of people to make this a 'goer'. If you have not received an invitation then e-mail Matt Smith (click)

NB - please note that if you don't want to be sent e-mails from the group but still want to be a member that can fully participate this is an option which you can select at sign up or after sign up by editing your preferences.

Our forum is a Yahoo group called pennine-gp-training which can be found at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/pennine-gp-training/ (click).

30/6/08

ARCP Panel Review - Reflections of a panel member

I've just finished sitting on a series of ARCP panel reviews of ST1 to ST2 transitions. In addition to the obvious question 'Have they done the minimum number of assessments?' some of the important recurring questions by panel members were:

• Have they logged enough entries (5 - 10 pages on average for a ST1-ST2 transition this year)?
• Are they of significant breadth (multiple entries in professional conversations, tutorials, clinical encounters etc)?
• Have they been mapped to the curriculum (on average 2 or more per log entry)?
• Is there good curriculum coverage (depending on posts the majority of statements should have > 5 entries mapped to them)?
• Are they using their PDP?
• What did the ES report say (clear statements by the ES were very helpful)?
• What did the CSR reveal (especially if they were from a GP Trainer)?
• What do the MSFs say about the Registrar?
• What does the PSQ reveal about their practice (NB MSF was found to be a more important discriminator)?

The panel's expectations will increase year on year so please plan to exceed this standard in the coming year!

Matt 26/6/08

Educational Supervision - the different reviews explained

Things are a lot clearer after our joint visit to the Deanery last week, please see the newly re-written 'Educational Supervision - a summary' download found on the Tools for Educational Supervisors page of the website.

The May and November meetings, the six monthly RCGP statutory meetings, are of critical importance with respect to possible ARCP review. These tend to be more quantitative, looking at whether they are on track for nMRCGP in terms of their assessments, PDP and the breadth and depth of their e-portfolio log entries. These are recorded in the 'Review section' of the e-portfolio & the educational supervision form is uploaded as a 'Professional conversation'.

The March and September supplementary Yorkshire Deanery reviews are more qualitative, looking at how they're settling in, the educational environment, educational theory and how it applies to them and their e-portfolio, advice on their PDP and how they might demonstrate the outcomes. These are uploaded as a 'Professional conversation' BUT not entered into the formal e-portfolio 'Review section'.

17/5/08

Intending Trainer? - The Introductory Seminar dates are October 16th & 17th

If you're thinking about becoming a Trainer then contact Matt, Arif or Roger. The hurdles have been reduced with opportunities for salaried GPs and GPs without MRCGP (fast track iMAP) to become Trainers. See our Intending Trainer page.

Also new funding is available to help intending Trainers with equipment or room adaptation / structural changes to facilitate Training accreditation.

The next Introductory Seminar, which is mandatory to starting on the pathway to becoming a Trainer, is October 16th & 17th - contact the Yorkshire Deanery now!

Allowances and fees

Practice Managers and Registrars have a look at our useful additions to the GP induction web page (click) which cover maternity leave, removal allowance, care allowance, MDS subscriptions etc.

Our Registrars' recommended good reads has been updated

Click here to find out more