This evaluation was done with the focus to improve the quality of pre-ARCP corporate report for core-trainees. The pre-ARCP corporate report is a document compiled by the medical education department guided by other departments to capture certain competencies. The area of interest was how the report could be up-to-date and accurate. This would ultimately lead to a fair and objective summation of facts for the Psychiatric and Educational Supervisor report which will be reviewed by the ARCP panel.

This evaluation included all full-time core trainees within the Northern training scheme of the Trust who have undergone ARCP in January and July 2022. Exclusion criteria included less-than full-time trainees and core trainees who did not take part in an ARCP panel in January and July 2022. The questionnaire was designed by the Project Team and approved by the Trust Audit Team prior to data collection. The data were collected from 11th July to 31st July 2022. Electronic questionnaires were sent out to 33 postgraduate doctors.

A total of 12 postgraduate doctors responded (36%). Out of the 12 doctors that responded, 11 (92%) had taken part in the ARCP panel in July 2022. 11/12 (92%) reported having received their pre-ARCP corporate report prior to the ARCP and in adequate time. Similarly, 11/12 (92%) of postgraduate doctors agreed with the record of both the RCPsych teaching attendance and audit involvement recorded on their pre-ARCP corporate report. In relation to capturing locality teaching attendance, 58% of postgraduate doctors reported the information as accurate. Inaccurate capturing of leaves, on-calls and/or rest days were pointed out by respondents as reasons for the discrepancy in attendance. Of those who contacted medical education, 10/10 (100%) reported that the issue was resolved before the portfolio submission date for ARCP. Of those who did not take action, 50% (1/2) reported the reason as being “I did not see the need to take action”.

We found that core trainees felt that capturing accurate RCPsych teaching attendance as well as accurate audit involvement before ARCP are areas that required improvement. There is room for improvement regarding recording locality teaching attendance and absences due to leaves, on-calls, and compensatory rest. It brings us back to reflect on the time spent by each affected postgraduate doctor to clarify their records when discrepancies are noted. Results were discussed with Medical Education department and suggestions for improvement implemented. A re-evaluation is scheduled to take place in July 2023.