Psychiatric Bulletin (2005) 29: 353-354. doi: 10.1192/pb.29.9.353-c
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2005) 29: 353-354
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Appraisal and the European WorkingTime Directive
Ravi Sohal, Staff Grade Psychiatrist
Bowden House Clinic Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, London Road, Harrow
on the Hill, Middlesex HA13JL
Brown and Bhugra’s article on the European Working Time Directive has
drawn much needed attention to the practical solutions which are being
discussed to counter the difficulties following its implementation
(Psychiatric Bulletin, May 2005, 29,161-163).
Another important consideration has to be the introduction of revalidation
and appraisal. Appraisal involves discussion of a doctor’s clinical
practice, and planning improvements in their development as a clinician. For
the time being, revalidation is undergoing a review by the Chief Medical
Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, following criticisms in the fifth report of the
Shipman Inquiry (see
http://www.the-shipman-inquiry.org.uk/fifthreport.asp).
The review of the basic and higher training programmes provides an opportunity
to introduce a process similar to appraisal during these years. An appraisal
system could be based on the revised curriculum and allow an opportunity to
incorporate other areas of particular interest to the trainee, all integrated
in the form of a personal development plan (PDP). The College introduced PDPs
in April 2001 and understanding the underlying principles at an earlier stage
of one’s career will, over time, allow the system to be refined in its
usefulness and become integrated as part of everyday clinical practice, as
major changes to clinical practice tend to be resisted by the medical
profession.
