The use of National Clinical Audit data in appraisal

This resource is a simple guide to support and encourage the inclusion of national clinical audit data in appraisal and revalidation. There is a directory of all the major national clinical audits, summarising their programmes with links and contacts. Please note this resource will be updated regularly to provide links to the latest national clinical audit data.

It also includes suggested questions to help those being appraise to reflect on their national clinical audit participation and outcomes.

Participation in quality improvement activity is one of the six types of supporting information required by the GMC for appraisal – and engagement with relevant national clinical audits can be used as evidence for this.

For some specialities, participation in a relevant national clinical audits is suggested by the speciality association as good practice for appraisal and revalidation, with some making it a mandatory requirement for their college members (see Appendix 3, Third party support for participation).

This document is aimed at responsible officers/medical directors and clinical directors seeking to increase the use of national clinical audit data in appraisal and revalidation processes in their organisations.  It is also useful to those being appraised and for anyone who wishes to understand how national clinical audit can be part of clinical appraisal and/or revalidation.