title: The Induction and Refresher scheme Simulated Surgery.
abstract: The Induction and Refresher scheme Simulated Surgery (I&RSS) is an assessment of clinical and consulting skills in which candidates are observed consulting with a series of simulated patients who present a variety of common GP scenarios. The Committee of GP Education Directors (COGPED)  recommends a period of induction for GPs returning to practice after a time away and GPs from the European Union wishing to enter UK general practice. In some deaneries the Induction and Refresher scheme is also the means by which GPs with fitness to practise concerns can be remediated back  into the workplace. The I&RSS is used by English deaneries to assess their learning needs prior to entry into the scheme.  This paper describes the I&RSS and its validity and reliability. We explain how it differs from the MRCGP Clinical Skills Exam and how it provides formative  feedback to candidates. We report on the outcomes of the exam for the last two years and discuss the performance of different candidate groups.
authors.affiliation: London Deanery GP Department, London WC1B 5DN, UK. peter@theburrows.me.uk
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burrows
authors.forename: Anwar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Trafford
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whiteman
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D058005:General Practitioners; D006801:Humans; D016544:Patient Simulation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D006113:United Kingdom