From the Guidelines
The Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) is a formal assessment process used in UK postgraduate medical training to evaluate doctors' progress against the competencies required for their specialty training program. This process is crucial for ensuring that trainees are developing the necessary skills and competencies to provide high-quality patient care. The ARCP panel reviews evidence collected throughout the training year, including workplace-based assessments, examinations, logbooks, and educational supervisor reports, to determine whether the trainee is progressing satisfactorily or requires additional support 1.
Key Components of ARCP
- The ARCP panel typically consists of senior clinicians and educators who review the evidence and issue an outcome that indicates the trainee's progress
- Outcomes range from 1 (satisfactory progress) to 6 (recommendation for withdrawal from training), with intermediate outcomes indicating various levels of concern or additional requirements
- The ARCP serves multiple purposes, including ensuring patient safety, providing structured feedback to trainees, identifying training needs early, and maintaining consistent standards across medical education
Preparation for ARCP
- Trainees should maintain an up-to-date portfolio and complete required assessments throughout the year
- Addressing previous feedback and ensuring all mandatory training elements are completed well before the review date is essential
- The ARCP panel should support surgical trainees in LTFT posts and help them meet their individual learning needs by developing a suitable training timetable, as recommended by the Association of Surgeons in Training 1
Importance of ARCP in Surgical Training
- The ARCP process is particularly important in surgical training, where the high-pressure and acute nature of the discipline can create a perfect storm for undermining and bullying to thrive 1
- The ARCP panel should be aware of these factors and provide a supportive and non-adversarial environment for trainees to discuss their progress and concerns
- By doing so, the ARCP process can help to promote a positive and inclusive learning environment, which is essential for the development of competent and confident surgeons.
From the Research
Definition of ARCP
- The Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) is a compulsory process for all UK specialty trainees, aimed at assessing their competence and progression in their training program 2, 3.
- The ARCP evaluates a trainee's performance during each training year and determines their progression to the next year of training 4.
Purpose of ARCP
- The primary purpose of the ARCP is to ensure that trainees are competent to practice as higher specialty trainees and to identify areas where they may need additional support or training 2, 5.
- The ARCP also provides an opportunity for trainees to discuss their progress with their supervisors and to receive feedback on their performance 3, 4.
Components of ARCP
- The ARCP process typically involves a review of a trainee's portfolio, which includes their learning logs, assessment results, and feedback from supervisors and peers 2, 3.
- The ARCP may also involve a face-to-face meeting between the trainee and their supervisor to discuss their progress and to set goals for the next year of training 4.
Criticisms and Limitations of ARCP
- Some trainees and supervisors have criticized the ARCP process for being too focused on administrative tasks and not enough on clinical competence 2.
- Others have raised concerns about the consistency and fairness of the ARCP process, with some trainees feeling that they are not given sufficient notice or support to prepare for their ARCP 4.
- There is also evidence to suggest that the ARCP process may not be effective in identifying trainees who are struggling or at risk of difficulty, with some studies suggesting that additional assessments or support may be needed to ensure that trainees are competent to practice 6, 5.