Information in this section is supplementary to the main toolkit so please ensure you go through that in detail first.
Providing appraisal supporting information is intended to be an educational and developmental process, allowing you to reflect in depth on an aspect of personal practice each year.
This section of the toolkit is for sessional doctors, with the aim to provide explanations and details which are relevant to doctors working without a fixed practice base, to gather in-depth evidence of personal relevance for appraisal.
Sessional doctors are encouraged to use the same methods as those outlined in the main toolkit, when it is appropriate. It is recognised that Sessional GPs who have no fixed practice base will find some of the examples impractical and offers limited scope for reflective learning. An example of this might be where a peripatetic locum being unable to engage with a regular "buddy" practice or a Sessional GPs' small study group; but equally there are also aspects of work which are very important to a Sessional GP, but are of no relevance to a GP Principal.
The options suggested for all doctors in the main toolkit should be considered, and where applicable include examples specific to your work as a Sessional GP.
If you work in any practice on a regular or frequent basis, consider asking them if you can be included in their teaching and learning activities. Try asking them if you can be "adopted" by the practice for appraisal purposes, after all, it is in their best interest to help you so that you can improve the service you provide.
If you are in a position to ask a practice (where you do regular locum work) whether you can take part in their internal activities, you may be able to:
MSF and Patient Surveys are both required for Revalidation.
You will need to ask for the practice's help with your MSF. All doctors have to do one every 5 years, and employing practices should be sympathetic to your need to get feedback for Revalidation.
You will also need to get feedback from working there using a patient satisfaction survey. If/when they are doing one, ask to be included.
Many practices already offer locums some involvement in learning activities, which can help improve your knowledge and skills. It may involve slightly more work for them, but it benefits them too.
The RCGP and the BMA both recommend that locums should be given the opportunity to learn from their work - for example, the outcome of referrals that they have made.
As a locum you may feel particularly vulnerable if someone makes a complaint about you: if there is an opportunity to be involved in an SEA arising from the complaint, ask if you can attend.
It is always in the interests of the employer to help those who work for them to learn and improve. It makes for better patient care, and reduces the risk that any work you do for them might have adverse consequences.
A number of reflection templates have been provided for your use, you don't have to use the full template but check out of the prompting questions in them to help you reflect on the different areas.
For example, if you have undertaken a long term locum, record your reflections on an area in which you held the lead, or reflect on case studies that you have discussed in a small study group (such as PBSGL).
We suggest that you can also use the "Quality of Your Work" reflection template to reflect on aspects of what you do as a sessional GP.
This page was last updated on: 11/11/2024
