ARCP Requirements/Guidance WoS

Training ‘Year’ 2010/2011

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 outcome.
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 6th May 2011 at NES, Glasgow.

However, in 2011, 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 27th May 2011. The RITAs (applicable to all SpRs) also take place on
27th May 2011.

** All reviews on 27th May will take place in the Postgraduate Centre, St Mungo
Building at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, not NES Offices **

Continued overleaf …
Process

Trainee meets with AES/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 22nd April 2011, at the latest for consideration by the ARCP panel
on 6th May 2011. 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; evidence of attendance at postgraduate teaching sessions.

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.

Continued overleaf
9. Trainee Evaluation Form.

Each trainee must complete and submit this form directly to Gillian McGill 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 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 Gillian McGill (Gillian.McGill@nes.scot.nhs.uk) at NES.

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.

January 2011