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Competence framework

WPBA competence framework

The Workplace Based Assessment (WPBA) component of the MRCGP exam is designed to test GP trainees competence in 12 key areas derived from the core RCGP curriculum statement Being a GP.

WPBA competences
Competence means having the abilities, knowledge and skills necessary for professional practise. Our framework for WPBA is made up of 12 competences: 1. Communication and consultation skills - communication with patients, and the use of recognised consultation techniques 2. Practising holistically operating in physical, psychological, socioeconomic and cultural dimensions, taking into account feelings as well as thoughts 3. Data gathering and interpretation -for clinical judgement, choice of physical examination and investigations and their interpretation 4. Making a diagnosis and making decisions a conscious, structured approach to decision making 5. Clinical management - recognition and management of common medical conditions in primary care 6. Managing medical complexity and promoting health = aspects of care beyond managing straightforward problems, including management of comorbidity, uncertainty, risk and focusing on health rather than just illness 7. Primary care administration and IMT - appropriate use of primary care administration systems, effective record keeping and IT for the benefit of patient care 8. Working with colleagues and in teams - working effectively with other professionals to ensure good patient care, including sharing information with colleagues 9. Community orientation - management of the health and social care of the practice population and local community 10. Maintaining performance, learning and teaching - maintaining performance and effective CPD for oneself and others 11. Maintaining an ethical approach to practice - practising ethically, with integrity and a respect for diversity 12. Fitness to practise - the doctor's awareness of when his/her own performance, conduct or health, or that of others, might put patients at risk, and taking action to protect patients

How the WPBA competences are assessed

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Competence framework

Competences are assessed by the full range of WPBA tools, allowing you to record multiple perspectives on your performance in the Trainee ePortfilio. Competence assessment through WPBA The table below shows where youre most likely to find evidence for each competence. Competence area 1 Communication and consultation skills 2 Practising holistically 3 Data gathering and interpretation 4 Making a diagnosis or decision 5 Clinical management 6 Managing medical complexity 7 Primary care admin and IMT 8 Working with colleagues and in teams 9 Community orientation MSF PSQ COT CbD CEX CSR Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No No No No

Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No No No Yes Yes

10 Maintaining performance, learning Yes and teaching 11 Maintaining an ethical approach 12 Fitness to practise Yes Yes

Yes Yes No No Yes Yes

Evidence of the competences should reflect the breadth of the curriculum, but its not expected that every area of the curriculum will be covered through WPBA. Competences are also tested through the other components of the MRCGP exam - the Applied Knowledge Test (AKT) and Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA). Competence assessment through naturally occurring evidence Use the Trainee ePortfolio to record and validate informal or naturally occurring evidence against the competence framework. For example, you might perform an audit on a specific topic and present it at a practice meeting. This could provide evidence of several competences, including maintaining performance, learning and teaching and communication skills. Your educational supervisor, trainer or clinical supervisor will create links from naturally occurring evidence to the appropriate competences.
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Competence framework

Competence progression over time Evidence of progress in the WBPA competences areas is gathered throughout the training programme. Youre unlikely to be able to show evidence of full competence at the start of training, but you will gradually build up evidence as time goes on. As your Trainee ePortfolio begins to demonstrate areas of strength and developmental needs, your trainers will adapt the learning programme to facilitate collection of new evidence. Rating competence progression As part of each Educational Supervisors Review (ESR), you and your educational supervisor will rate your progress on each of the 12 competences. Each competence is rated as one of: needs further development (NFD) below expectations NFD meets expectations NFD above expectations competent for licensing excellent.

1. WBPA competences: detailed descriptors

WPBA competences and the GP curriculum

The WPBA competences are based on the six professional competences listed in the wider GP curriculum (see Being a GP) . For WPBA purposes, these six competences were sub-divided into 12 and made more specific so its easier to identify appropriate evidence. GP curriculum

Useful links
MRCGP Workplace Based Assessment (WPBA): competence framework [internal link] RCGP Trainee ePortfolio [internal link] Information for trainers, supervisors and deaneries [internal link to MRCGP: information for trainers, supervisors and deaneries]

www.rcgp.org.uk/gp-training-and-exams/mrcgp-workplace-based-assessment-wpba/wpba-competence-framework.aspx

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