SE15 PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA FOR REVALIDATION

Revalidation or the process by which a surgeon demonstrates their right to practice has long been established in the United States and Canada and is currently being introduced in the United Kingdom. Its primary purpose is to demonstrate that surgeons continue to meet the standards that apply in their discipline. Secondary purposes are to promote continuing professional development, encourage improvement in the quality of healthcare and the identification of surgeons for whom there are significant concerns about their fitness to practice and to alert for early signs of deteriorating performance. Finally it is to reassure the public, colleagues and employers that individual surgeons are up to date and fir to practice. Although there are different methods for undertaking revalidation, experiences on the use of self‐regulation have shown that it can be effective and maintain the public trust. This method would seem preferable to the development of a testing culture based on summative examinations. Important principles for revalidation include the College and specialty associations setting of standards and the evidence required and the importance of surgeons gathering the evidence in their personal portfolio. The process should be locally based and include a responsible person who can provide assurance of an individual's continued fitness to practice. The College and specialty associations must provide support and advice to surgeons going through the process. A number of criteria are used including professional standing, evidence of lifelong learning and up to date clinical knowledge primarily through self‐directed learning and self‐assessment. Evaluation of performance in practice can be drawn from outcome data, patient feedback and observations of practice and simulator tests.