Trainer Re-approval –“Light Touch” Visits
Following a successful pilot, we are using a new method of trainer re-approval in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. It takes account of recent changes in GP education and in the way practices work.
Firstly, there is the move towards competency based education. As part of Modernising Medical Careers, trainers are being asked to assess trainees attached to their practices to ensure that they have attained the relevant competencies. Similarly, in the West Midlands, we have identified a list of competencies and learning outcomes for trainers as well as criteria for the selection of trainers. These may be downloaded from this website along with the more detailed guidance that was published as part of the documentation for the NHS West Midlands Postgraduate School of General Practice.
Before the visit, we should like trainers to review their teaching and their practices against these competencies and criteria and to sign a declaration of compliance.
Secondly, the questionnaire that, previously, we have asked trainees to complete is out of date. We have designed a new format that requests feedback on practice logistical data, educational criteria and satisfaction with the educational experience. The visit does not now include an interview with the trainee although a confidential meeting will continue to be available on request.
Thirdly, we have been concerned that the practice inspection part of our visits has duplicated those carried out by your Primary Care Trust as part of the Quality and Outcome Framework process. We propose to avoid this duplication by requesting the completion of a form that is based on relevant QOF indicators.
The educational conversation has been regarded as a useful part of the old style of practice visit and we are continuing with this form of appraisal using the Educational Conversation document as before. It is hoped that the information gathered will enable us to be more focussed on educational needs as trainers. For the same reason, it is intended to continue viewing a recording of a tutorial. This should be preferably of a random or problem case analysis and ideally lasting about 10 minutes. We have found it more useful to see a short, self-contained tutorial of this type rather than a small part of a full-length tutorial. We are, of course, more interested in the learning / teaching process than the content.
For the purpose of quality control, a random sample of practices will have old-style visits and this will also apply to practices that wish to start training and practices where particular concerns have been raised.
What happens next?
You will be contacted sometime before your approval for training is due to expire and offered some dates. You may wish to initiate the process if, for example, you are a new trainer seeking approval for the first time.
(See Educational conversation with a prospective trainer).
A visit usually takes place on a Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning or afternoon and normally lasts between two and three hours.
You can find out more about the principles and processes upon which this system was developed by downloading the Light Touch Pilot guidance from the website. You can also download the trainer competencies and training practice criteria documents as well as all the necessary forms.
You will be asked to confirm some suitable dates for an educational conversation meeting, preferably by e-mail, using our contact form, or by phoning 01562 512850. Then, you should arrange for the four parts of the re-approval process to be completed:
- The trainer self-assessment against the criteria for training practice approval with the declaration of compliance, please download here.
- The practice self assessment against the QOF criteria, please download here
- The learner evaluation form, download a copy here
- The Educational Conversation form, please download here
Please return all forms to me, again, preferably by e-mail. If you do have any queries, please feel free to contact me by e-mail or phone.
When I receive the forms, you will be notified of the outcome within 10 days. The possible outcomes are:
- Confirmation of a light touch visit.
- Notification of a full visit, either because there are concerns or you have been selected as part of the random sample to be visited.
