The UK proposals for revalidation of physicians: Implications for the recertification of surgeons.
The editorial titled "For the Protection of the Public and the Good of the Specialty: Maintenance of Certification" (published in the February 2009 issue of the Archives of Surgery) has prompted us to offer the following article to inform the debate about how assessing surgical care and sorting out the variables to be included in maintenance of certification may develop worldwide. The proposals for revalidation of UK physicians involve the relicensing of all physicians and recertification of all specialists on the specialist register of the General Medical Council. The process will be on a 5-year cycle and is currently under development by the General Medical Council. The Royal Colleges have been charged with creating the standards for recertification, and the responsibility will fall on the Royal Colleges to support their fellows and members as the new regulation is introduced and as it develops. This article outlines developments so far, with particular reference to surgeons.
Youngson
George G
GG
Department of Standards, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Scotland. ggyrach@abdn.ac.uk
Knight
Paul
P
Hamilton
Leslie
L
Taylor
Irving
I
Tanner
Arthur
A
Steers
James
J
Steel
Claire
C
de Cossart
Linda
L
D002568:Certification / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D013502:General Surgery / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008004:Licensure / Q000592:standards*; D012449:Safety; D006113:United Kingdom