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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03718481

Perceptions of the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) in Surgical Training in the UK and Ireland

A Prospective Cross Sectional Questionnaire Study was conducted to evaluate surgical trainees' experiences of the ARCP process in order to identify areas for improvement.

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Key information

Conditions

Education, Medical

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Association of Surgeons in Training

London, United Kingdom

About this study

Background: Surgical trainees in the UK and Ireland undergo rigorous formative and summative assessments throughout each placement and appraisal at an Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP). The ARCP evaluates performance during each training year and determines progression to the next year of training. It is critical that the ARCP is a robust and fair process. The Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) sought to evaluate surgical trainees' experiences of the ARCP process in order to identify areas for improvement.

Methods: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study was conducted An electronic survey was developed and distributed electronically to the trainee membership of ASiT in the UK and Republic of Ireland. A 57 point survey examined the specifics of one ARCP cycle as well as attitudes to the process in general. Quantitative analysis was performed, along with thematic analysis on the free-text comments.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Must be a trainee member of ASiT
  • All grades, Deaneries, including less than full-time/academic trainees are eligible for inclusion

Exclusion criteria

  • Student members are excluded

Treatment and study plan

ARCP Process

Other

One Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) cycle. In the U.K., doctors, across all specialities, undergo an Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) to evaluate performance during each training year and determine progression to the next year of training. Similar processes exist in the Republic of Ireland. The process and requirements for ARCP in the UK are specified in the Gold Guide, the Reference Guide for Postgraduate Specialty Training [1]. It defines ARCP as a formal process that uses evidence collected by trainees to review and record performance, demonstrate competencies achieved and inform decisions regarding progression in training

Primary outcomes

  1. Experiences of Annual Review of Competence and Progression

    Time frame: Oct 2017-March 2018

    Experience of preparation, processes and standards. These will be measured on an anonymous, online survey (Survey monkey) and participants will be asked to rate their experiences of the ARCP using a likert scale. Specific experiences will include preparation for Annual Review of Competence and Progression-timing of decision making and value of the process as an educational tool and contribution of traineers, supervisors and the ARCP panel. Examples of questions are Did you feel your progression was fairly assessed? Possible answers include very fair, fair, neutral, not fair, very unfair

Secondary outcomes

  1. Face to Face

    Time frame: Oct 2017- March 2018

    Trainees attitudes to a face to face Annual Review of Competence and Progression This will be measured on a likert scale similar to that outlined above (Strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, strongly disagree). There will be space for free text comments on the survey and a thematic analysis will be performed according to the steps of Braun and Clarke on the comments

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University College Hospital Galway

Other

Collaborators

  • The Association of Surgeons in Training

Registry information

Official study title

Perceptions of the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) in Surgical Training in the UK and Ireland: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study.

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Oct 24, 2018
Registry last updated
Oct 29, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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