revalidation/keeping up-to-date

Cpd

• Covers CPD, journals, guidelines, and clinical learning

• Mentions reflection and application (key for consultants)

• Aligns with revalidation expectations

• Shows initiative and leadership, not just attendance

Evolve it

Recognise that how I do my CPD will evolve as a transition to becoming a consultant and develop particular areas of expertise but also things that I do less frequently.

My approach

I recognise that keeping my practice evidence based and up to date is my responsibility and ensures I give excellent care to my patients.

I’m very organised and at the beginning of each academic year I make a plan for my CPD. I have a think about how the last year has been and any learning needs highlighted (reflection!) and also look forward to what I’m going to be doing and any areas I need to update on

Divide CPD up into

-regular reading and listening (podcasts, BJA and Ed, AA and RCoA emails for new publications, QRH. SALG publications.

-courses (mindful there’s a budget and how to use this best)

-teaching: ensure doing several types of teaching (ALS/FRCA curse examining/departmental)FOR EXAMPLE ODP TEACHING.

-on top of this attend CGM

Make notes on phone as embed learning for me and can then refer to)

Really appreciate when others share their CPD summaries and want to start doing this myself

Want to use AI to help with COD

CPD is vital to remaining accountable. Reflection is a vital part of directing the CPD and making the most from it when I do it.

Revalidatiom

( They are looking for evidence that you understand professional responsibility, governance, reflective practice, and maintaining safe practice)

Need to show that you see revalidation as a continuous process rather than a five-year administrative exercise.

1. Purpose of revalidation

• Demonstrate ongoing fitness to practise.

Improve patient safety.

Promote reflecfion

• Maintain public confidence in doctors.

2. Annual appraisal

revalidation is built on:

• Annual appraisal.

• A personal development plan (PDP).

• Evidence collected throughout the year rather than just before revalidation.

3. Supporting information (the six GMC categories)

It’s worth knowing these because interviewers often expect them:

• CPD

• Quality improvement activity (audit, QI projects, outcomes)

• Significant events (reflection and learning)

• Feedback from colleagues

• Feedback from patients

• Review of complaints and compliments

4. Reflection

Interviewers often want to hear that you:

• Reflect honestly on learning.

Describe how reflection changes practice.

Example:

“If I receive colleague feedback suggesting I could improve communication during theatre handover, I’d reflect on it, seek further feedback after implementing changes, and document how my practice has evolved.”

5. Governance

Mention involvement in:

• Clinical audit/QI.

• Morbidity and mortality meetings.

• Incident reporting.

• Learning from patient safety events.

• Guideline implementation.

6. CPD

Mention maintaining:

• Specialty knowledge.

• Mandatory training.

• Courses.

• Conferences.

• Teaching.

• Reading journals.

• Simulation.

• Keeping a balanced CPD portfolio.

7. Probity and health

Don’t forget these GMC declarations:

• Health.

• Probity.

• Scope of practice.

These are commonly overlooked but form part of revalidation.

8. Responsible Officer

Know that:

• The appraisal evidence goes to the organisation’s Responsible Officer.

• The Responsible Officer makes a recommendation to the GMC regarding revalidation.

Example interview answer (2 minutes)

“I see revalidation as an ongoing process that demonstrates my fitness to practise rather than simply a five-year requirement. The foundation is annual appraisal, supported by a robust portfolio containing evidence of CPD, quality improvement work, significant event reflection, colleague and patient feedback where appropriate, and review of complaints or compliments. I think the most valuable aspect is reflection—using feedback, incidents, and audit findings to identify learning and make measurable improvements to my clinical practice. I also see participation in governance activities such as morbidity and mortality meetings, incident reporting, teaching, and guideline implementation as key components of maintaining high standards of care. Finally, revalidation includes demonstrating probity, maintaining good health, and practising within my scope, allowing the Responsible Officer to recommend revalidation to the GMC.”

Questions they might ask

• “What evidence do you include for revalidation?”

• “Tell us about a significant event you reflected on.”

• “How has appraisal changed your practice?”

• “How do you ensure your CPD is meaningful rather than just collecting points?”

• “If colleague feedback identified a weakness, how would you respond?”

• “How does revalidation improve patient safety?”

For consultant anaesthetic interviews, it’s particularly effective to link revalidation to day-to-day consultant responsibilities: participating in departmental governance, leading quality improvement, contributing to morbidity and mortality reviews, supporting trainees, responding constructively to feedback, and demonstrating continuous improvement in clinical practice. These practical examples show you understand revalidation as part of being a safe, accountable consultant rather than an administrative requirement.

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