Credentialing in surgical specialities: Recommendations by the Association of Surgeons in Training

The General Medical Council (GMC) has conducted a consultation process on its proposals for "credentialing" in postgraduate medical practice in the UK. It has been suggested that these may be used to provide formal accreditation of a doctor's competency in a certain area of practice. There are 5 main issues being consulted upon: (a) the time point in a doctor's career at which credentialing should be undertaken, (b) the scope of practice that should be included in credentials and whether this should include any competency already accredited by a Certificate of Completion of Training, (c) the funding source for the credentialing process, (d) the bodies that are entitled to award a credential, and (e) who exactly should be eligible for a credential. The Association of Surgeons in Training has commented on each issue and made recommendations to the GMC. One area of practice that has already begun a regulation process is Cosmetic Surgery, in response to the lack of defined standards and a clear training pathway. Both the GMC and Royal College of Surgeons of England have now published standards in this area and will come into effect in 2016. The impact of these on surgical training is discussed.