You couldn't make it up. Or could you?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Professional Regulation

Background:

• Revalidation is the new UK medical doctor registration method.
• Most doctors use the appraisal route for revalidation, requiring five annual appraisals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the trust-based nature of the UK doctor revalidation appraisal system.
• To explore the potential for fabricating evidence within the appraisal process.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the trust-based revalidation system.
• Review of existing evidence on cheating in medical and postgraduate education.

Main Results:

• The appraisal system for doctor revalidation relies heavily on trust.
• Evidence suggests that fabricating evidence of good practice is possible.
• Studies show cheating occurs in medical education and may predict future dishonesty.

Conclusions:

• The current revalidation appraisal system's reliance on trust presents vulnerabilities.
• Concerns exist that appraisal may evolve into assessment, impacting doctor confidence.