Appraisal: the catalyst of personal development
BMJ 2003; 327 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.327.7411.389 (Published 14 August 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;327:389
- Maurice Conlon, director of GP appraiser training programme (maurice.conlon@ncgst.nhs.uk)1
- 1 NHS Clinical Governance Support Team, NHS Modernisation Agency, Leicester LE1 6NB
- Accepted 2 June 2003
Appraisal should be a vibrant educational process. It is a means of preparing the ground for enhancing personal development and contributes to partnership between an individual and the employing organisation. Most importantly for health care, appraisal has been shown to be positively associated with patient care, with the association increasing with the quality of the appraisal.1 For doctors in the United Kingdom, appraisal is also going to be the main method of revalidation.2 We therefore need to be clear what appraisal is, in order to maintain its integrity as an educational tool. This article sets out what appraisal entails for NHS doctors and its potential benefits. It also explores some issues that could adversely affect appraisal and practical steps that will allow it to flourish.
What is appraisal?
Appraisal is a structured process of facilitated self reflection. It allows individuals to review their professional activities comprehensively and to identify areas of real strength and need for development. Appraisal is a formalised means of helping a professional move through the learning cycle (fig 1).3 Reflection forms the link between experience and the generation of ideas, which results in altered behaviour.
Learning cycle (adapted from Kolb3)
The existence of the NHS has facilitated the development of a standardised model of appraisal for all doctors. Although separate guidelines exist for consultants and general practitioners and some differences of approach (see bmj.com), the core process and intent is identical.4 …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £173 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£38 / $45 / €42 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.