The Role Of Clinical Governance System In GMC Appraisal And Revalidation

Posted by David Bradley on December 23rd, 2015

In the process of GMC’s appraisal and revalidation, clinical governance system has a very important role to play. Clinical governance system according to the standard definition is a framework that is developed through which all the NHS organisations liable for continuous improvement in the quality of their healthcare services and safeguarding the top standards of healthcare by creating such an environment in which excellence in clinical healthcare will thrive.

The processes and system that ensures the safe and effective healthcare refers to the clinical governance system. It encompasses broad domains of healthcare including safely introducing advances in medical technology, techniques and medications as well as the models of healthcare. It also covers up the systems designed to prevent, identify and modify where possible any possible harm to patients in case something goes wrong or nearly goes wrong. It includes the sharing of supporting information for appraisal and revalidation that will contribute towards improving the standards of care and prevent any harm to patients at any occasions within the healthcare settings.

GMC has clearly mentioned in its publications Supporting information for appraisal and revalidation that doctors are required to participate in the activities of quality improvement or in clinical audits pertinent to their field of speciality or work, in order to reflect and evaluate the results, to take appropriate actions and to assess the resulting outcomes. The doctors are also required to keep a record of any significant events in their practice which should be discussed at their appraisal meetings.            

The clinical governance system at healthcare organisations should ensure that it provides proper support and assistance for gathering supporting information for appraisal and revalidation process to the doctors. There are six types of supporting information which should be gathered by doctors to discuss at the appraisal meetings that include;

  • Continuing professional development (CPD)
  • Activities conducted for quality improvement
  • Record of significant events
  • Feedback taken from colleagues
  • Feedback taken from patients
  • Review of the complaints and compliments

Sometimes, Responsible Officers who are an in-charge of appraisal and revalidation process, requires that doctors bring specific documents from their clinical governance system as evidence to their appraisal meetings.

The key to the effectiveness of the clinical governance system is the trust that it is making the required contributions towards the patient care and safety. The success of the role of clinical governance system in providing the supporting information for appraisal and revalidation lies in the trust of the doctors on the system.

Clinical governance system gives an opportunity of pulling together the various components from the clinical as well as managerial levels for improving the provision of healthcare to patients. It benefits both the doctors and the patients.

With the introduction of GMC revalidation system, the role of clinical governance system has become more important than ever in supporting the entire system and facilitating doctors to fulfil the requirements of appraisal and revalidation in an efficient and systematic manner.

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David Bradley

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David Bradley
Joined: December 23rd, 2015
Articles Posted: 4

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