ARCP Requirements/Guidance WoS

Training ‘year’ 2009/2010

This applies to all ST and LAT trainees. (The RITA process applies to SpRs
which has not changed from 2007; none of the WoS SpRs have converted
to ST training).

Details available from RCOG Training Portfolio and PMETB Gold Guide
(available on line)

Basic principle is that trainees are responsible for the

documentation of their progress in training. It is not the role of
the educational supervisor or college tutor to ‘chase’ the trainees
for their records. Inadequate documentation will be presumed to
reflect inadequate progress with training and will result in an
unsatisfactory ARCP. There are no short cuts.

Background

ARCP is a paper exercise which, with certain exceptions involves no

routine interaction with the ARCP panel which meets on May 7th 2010 at
NES, Glasgow.

However, in 2010, certain ST trainees will be invited for a face to face

interview after the ARCP paperwork has been considered, to include;

1. ST2 trainees (key stage in their careers)

2. ST trainees where a satisfactory ARCP is not anticipated by the
educational supervisor/college tutor ie the trainee has been
referred.

The above interviews are called Annual Planning Interviews/ARCP

Interviews and will take place on May 21st 2010. The RITAs (applicable to
all SpRs) also take place on May 21st 2010 (all at NES in Glasgow)

Process

Trainee meets with ES/CT to discuss training/paperwork and complete the

Annual Assessment Review Form (AAR). If there are no concerns then the
AAR is forwarded by the CT to NES by April 23rd 2010 at the latest for
consideration by the ARCP panel on May 7th 2010. If there are concerns
then the CT will bring this to my attention at the earliest opportunity.
The following is the essential minimum, to be exceeded wherever
possible.

1 TO1 (team observations) forms from a minimum of TEN observers

to include at least 3 senior colleagues, senior midwives, theatre
staff etc. Clerical/secretarial staff should not be asked. TO1s to be
returned to the educational supervisor (ES) who will summate into
the TO2.
2 The following is required for satisfactory completion of the
AAR (which is the central document to guide trainees and ES
as to what is required for the ARCP)

a. TO1 x ten (as above)

b. OSATS in ALL TEN procedures for ST3 and above (for ST2
see below). There is no specified maximum number of
OSATS required per procedure but NOTE A TOTAL OF FIVE
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED OSATS MUST BE OBTAINED
BEFORE THE COMPETENCY CAN BE SIGNED OFF.

Once a module is signed off then further OSATS in this module are not
required ie the competency is established and OSATS do not need to be
performed and collected routinely.

Remember that some modules have different levels of training so cases

must reflect the level of difficulty relevant to the stage of training. this
means that, for example, caesarean section will need to be completed
with appropriate OSATS three times (basic, intermediate and advanced)
from ST1 to ST7.

‘Successfully completed’ means all boxes in independent practice

ticked ie front page and the majority in ‘Generic Skills’ (back page)
either ringed in the centre or right column with the exception that
the criterion ‘insight/attitude’ must be ringed ‘fully understands
areas of weakness’ every time.

FOR ST2 ONLY

For progression to ST3 the RCOG have determined the

following to be essential requirements;

a. Opening and closing of abdomen

b. Uncomplicated acute and elective CS
c. Non rotational operative vacuum delivery
d. Manual removal of placenta
e. CTG interpretation
f. Management of shoulder dystocia
g. Management of cord prolapse

Where an OSAT exists (a-d) then the competency at basic training MUST
be achieved. Where an OSAT does not exist (e-g) then assessment is
achieved by ‘other means’ e.g. attendance at course/training day, case-
based discussion (CbD). Evidence of this must be provided to the ES when
completing the AAR form.

5. Mini CEX (Applicable to all trainees)

These assessment tools are relevant to some modules and not to others.
See curriculum. Where relevant, a minimum of ten Mini-CEX must be
satisfactorily completed before the relevant module is finally signed off. At
least one Mini C-Ex per relevant module is required per year of
training until the competency/module is completed (WoS
requirement)
Mini CEX required in modules 1, 8, 15 and 19.

Once module is signed off, no further MINI CEX routinely required.

6. CbD (Applicable to all trainees)

These assessment tools are relevant to some modules and not to others.
See curriculum. Where relevant a minimum of six CbD must be
satisfactorily completed before the module is finally signed off. At least
one CbD per relevant module is required per year of training until
the competency/module is completed.
CbD required in module 8 and 15.

Once module is signed off, no further mini-cbd routinely required.

NOTE; An OSAT in each of the ten categories is not expected at ST1 and
ST 2 (see above for what is expected/essential at ST2). However, the
minimum number of Mini CEx and CbD is expected from all STs.

A shortfall in the number of OSATS and/or CbD and/or MiniCEx will result in
the award of ARCP outcome 5 ‘Incomplete evidence presented-additional
training time may be required’ (in the hopefully unlikely event that a
shortfall in documentation is the only deficiency, otherwise another ARCP
outcome ((except 1)) will be appropriate).
If an outcome 5 is awarded the trainee will be required to submit in writing
an explanation for the deficiency which the panel may or may not accept.

7. Audit or Research and Teaching

Audit or Research; At least one audit or research project demonstrating
personal involvement commenced since July 2009. For Trainees in
ST1/2 then only one such project needs to be completed during
the first two years of training. This is in recognition of the
additional requirement of obtaining part 1 MRCOG;

Teaching; participation in at least two formal teaching sessions eg in

house programme, regional programme etc since July 2009 and before
end July 2010.

Research experience is not essential but is highly desirable. Research can

replace audit in this context.
8. Progress with Modules.

All basic competencies must be signed off before progressing from ST2 to
ST3.
All intermediate competencies must be signed off before progressing from
ST5 to ST6.

9. Trainee Evaluation Form. Each trainee must complete and submit

this form directly to Laura Armstrong at NES. The content of this form has
no bearing upon your ARCP/RITA.

Please familiarise yourselves with the AAR Form which is in the training
portfolio and (of course) is available on line at www.rcog.org.uk (as is the
remainder of the portfolio).

Queries regarding local unit arrangement should be directed to the

relevant college tutor. Queries regarding timetabling and submission of
paperwork should be submitted to Laura Armstrong
(laura.armstrong@nes.scot.nhs.uk) at NES, Glasgow. Queries regarding
the content of this letter or any other ARCP/RITA issues should be
addressed to me at philipowen1@hotmail.com

Please keep up to date via the trainees’ website.

Philip Owen,
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, PRMH/GRI,
Chair and TPD WoS O&G STC.
November 2009