Demonstration of Stage 2 equivalence guidance for RAA/DRA

This guidance supports Regional Advisors in Anaesthesia (RAA) and Deputy Regional Advisors in Anaesthesia (DRA) in assessing whether a doctor’s prior training and experience is equivalent to Stage 2 of the RCoA curriculum (Stage 2 equivalence). 

Key principles

• Training does not need to match the formal training pathway exactly, but must be equivalent in terms of breadth and depth of experience.
• Level of supervision should be commensurate with Stage 2 requirements.
• Evidence is reviewed by the RAA or College representative, with a professional judgement made on equivalence. A face-to-face or virtual meeting may be required to clarify aspects of the evidence.
• Assessors may seek advice from the Training Committee or Bernard Johnson Advisors if clarification is needed.

Time period under review

Normally a minimum of 2 years whole-time equivalent (WTE) experience should be reviewed.

• This period may include:
  • in programme training
  • out of programme training
  • entirely out of training experience.
• The RCoA CCT calculator may be useful in demonstrating timelines.

How evidence should be submitted

The RCoA Lifelong Learning Platform (LLP) is the preferred method and most practical way to submit evidence.

• Doctors not in formal training programmes may use the following to evidence their progress:
  • Structured Learning Events (SLEs) or similar
  • Logbook
  • Multi Source Feedback (MSF)
  • Multiple Trainer Report (MTR)
  • Educational Supervisors Structured Report (ESSR)
• A recent and comprehensive ESSR must be included in evidence for review of equivalence
• A completed and signed Stage 1 Certificate is a prerequisite.

Review and verification 

• If the assessor has not worked directly with the applicant, they should seek input from the doctor’s:
  • current trainer, or
  • Educational Supervisor, or
  • College Tutor
• A meeting (virtual or face-to-face) with the applicant may be helpful where clarification is required
• An outline CV with a dateline of posts is recommended
• It is reasonable to request additional evidence if submissions are incomplete or insufficient.

Minimum evidence required

Logbook

Use of the RCoA LLP logbook is not mandatory, but it does make the review process easier if it has been used.

• Full logbook covering the period under review, which must demonstrate:
  • case mix and volume
  • supervision levels
  • patient age groups
  • ASA grades
  • procedures performed
• Summary reports should be available for:
  • Cardiac Anaesthesia
  • Neuro Anaesthesia
  • Paediatric Anaesthesia
  • Regional Anaesthesia
  • Obstetrics
  • Intensive Care Medicine (ICM)

Evidence of an annual appraisal process by trainers

This can be an Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP), a Trust appraisal or a similar process.

Evidence of achievement of the Final FRCA examination

Trainer feedback/evaluation 

This can be any of the following:

• The ESSR on the LLP can be used to evidence the supervision of a period of training outside of a formal programme
• Trainer feedback such as the MTR or structured trainer feedback
• A report written by supervisors/trainers.

Stage 2 domains of the RCoA 2021 Anaesthetics curriculum 

There should be evidence of activity across all domains of the Stage 2 curriculum. 

Stage 2 non-clinical domains of the RCoA 2021 Anaesthetics curriculum

Evidence to demonstrate achievement of equivalent training at the appropriate supervision level in the following Stage 2 non-clinical domains of the RCoA 2021 Anaesthetics curriculum:

• Professional Behaviours and Communication
• Management and Professional and Regulatory Requirements
• Team Working
• Safety and Quality Improvement
• Safeguarding
• Education and Training
• Research and Managing Data

Examples of evidence may include audit, QI, multisource or trainer feedback, research activity, educational activity including feedback, evidence of presentations or publications, mandatory training, courses and personal reflections.

Stage 2 clinical domains of the RCoA 2021 Anaesthetics curriculum

Evidence to demonstrate achievement of equivalent training at the appropriate supervision level in the following Stage 2 clinical domains of the RCoA 2021 Anaesthetics curriculum:

• Perioperative Medicine and Health Promotion
• General Anaesthesia
• Regional Anaesthesia
• Resuscitation and Transfer
• Procedural Sedation
• Pain
• Intensive Care

Examples of evidence may include logbook data, SLEs and personal activities and reflections.