'Putting it into words': developing the RCGP competency descriptors to include 'at-risk behaviours'.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Professional Development
• Healthcare Training Assessment

Background:

• The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) established 12 Work Place Based Assessment (WPBA) competencies to meet General Medical Council (GMC) requirements.
• A new 'Needs Further Development (NFD) - below expectations' rating has been introduced for educational supervisors.
• Trainees in the North of Scotland Deanery are experiencing difficulties demonstrating WPBA competency, impacting training completion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a system for early identification of medical trainees at risk of failing WPBA.
• To provide educational supervisors with objective indicators for assessing trainees performing below expectations.
• To integrate 'at-risk' behaviour descriptors into the existing WPBA competency framework.

Main Methods:

• Modified the original RCGP table of 12 WPBA competencies.
• Included a new column for 'NFD - below expectations'/'at-risk' behaviours.
• Aligned existing descriptors of 'at-risk' behaviours with the 12 WPBA competencies.

Main Results:

• An expanded table of WPBA competency descriptors was created.
• This table now includes specific behaviours indicative of trainees struggling with competency.
• The modified tool facilitates early identification and formative intervention.

Conclusions:

• The enhanced WPBA descriptor table aids in the early recognition of trainees exhibiting 'at-risk' behaviours.
• It supports objective assessment during educational supervisor reviews for trainees in difficulty.
• This initiative aims to improve trainee support and successful training completion.