Abstract:

Introduction:
Progression to the next stage of junior doctors training programme in the United Kingdom is dependent on meeting curriculum targets and is assessed by the Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP). It is a formal and structured evaluation of a portfolio of evidence to ensure a doctor has achieved the required competencies to enable satisfactory progression through each stage of their medical training.
Foundation trainees are entitled to protected weekly time of 2 hours for self-development time (SDT) as part of a charter drawn up from the Foundation Programme review.

The intended use of SDT is for non-clinical activities related to curriculum requirements that facilitate a satisfactory outcome at Annual Review of Competency Progression or to assist development in future career plans.
SDT represents a crucial improvement to foundation doctors’ working conditions, with opportunities for professional growth and improvement vital to doctors still at an early stage in their career.
The purpose of the study is to determine quantitatively if there is a positive correlation between efficient use of SDT and initial satisfactory ARCP outcome. Additionally, to evaluate SDT for trainees who received poor ARCP outcome.

Methodology:
ARCP outcomes were collected, for over 492 postgraduate doctors in training (PGDiT) in a large teaching hospital Trust, spread across 3 sites in Leicester city, for two academic years (2020-2021) and 2021-2022). Statistical analysis performed of initial satisfactory outcomes (1 and 6) and all holding outcomes (3, 4&5) with cross reference to SDT data for each PGDiT. A deep dive into specific SDT outcomes was undertaken.

Results:
Of 492 Foundation trainees, > 95% received a successful ARCP outcome while < 2% received unsatisfactory outcomes over the period analysed. PGDiT who used their SDT effectively were more likely to obtain a satisfactory outcome at ARCP. No significance between Females and males for ARCP outcomes (M: F 259:233, P>0.05).

Conclusion:
Effective allocation of SDT and use of SDT allows for the completion of a portfolio and satisfactory ARCP outcome in the vast majority of cases. NHS Employers and Clinical management can use this data to vindicate allocation of SDT. Future analysis of ethnicity data and pooled regional and national data is suggested.

Keywords:

Self-development time, SDT, ARCP, Annual Review of Competency Progression, Outcome 3, PGDiT, Postgraduate doctors in training.