2021 Curriculum for a CCT in Anaesthetics

The ARCP is the formal process where the anaesthetist in training’s progress is reviewed, usually on an annual basis. This process should be used to collate and systematically review evidence about an anaesthetist in training’s performance and progress in a holistic way and make decisions about their achievement of expected outcomes and subsequent progression in training.

ESSRs form the basis of the evidence that is reviewed at the ARCP and other evidence such as the logbook, audit, research, teaching, management and examination results are considered when awarding an ARCP outcome. A satisfactory outcome at the ARCP is required in order to progress through the training programme. The ARCP process is described in the Gold Guide and the Deaneries are responsible for organising and conducting ARCPs. The evidence to be reviewed by ARCP panels should be collected in the anaesthetist in training’s LLp.

The decisions made at critical progression points and upon completion of training should be clear and defensible. They must be fair and robust and make use of evidence from a range of assessments, potentially including examinations and observations in practice or reflection on behaviour by those who have appropriate expertise or experience. They can also incorporate commentary or reports from longitudinal observations, such as from supervisors or formative assessments demonstrating progress over time.

Assessment of attainment of the learning outcomes involves looking across a range of different skills and behaviours to make global decisions about an anaesthetist in training’s suitability to progress. The domains grids in section 5.10 set out the high-level description of attainment to be achieved for each learning outcome at the end of each stage of training in order to progress to the next.

As a precursor to ARCPs, the RCoA strongly recommend that anaesthetists in training have an informal LLp review either with their educational supervisor or arranged by the local School of Anaesthesia. These provide opportunities for early detection of anaesthetists in training who are failing to gather the required evidence for ARCP.

In order to guide anaesthetists in training, supervisors and the ARCP panel, the RCoA has produced ARCP guidance which sets out the requirements for a satisfactory ARCP outcome at the end of each stage of training and critical progression point. The ARCP decision aid is available on the RCoA website.