The pandemic put the whole world on pause in many ways. To allow medical practitioners to focus on the incredible demands COVID had on the healthcare industry, one of the processes initially suspended temporarily was medical appraisals.  Recommendations for a flexible, rebalanced approach was then taken to the resumption of the appraisal process.  With the aim of building upon the strength of the rebalanced 2020 appraisals, guidance from the GMC, AoMRC and NHS England recommended continuation of the rebalanced appraisal – MAG 22. The new process refocuses away from the pandemic to create a well-rounded system that factors on important aspects, such as wellbeing. While the process is centred on supporting doctors and requires less paperwork focusing more on quality, rather than quantity, transferring from one appraisal process to another, can be challenging.

Why appraisee wellbeing?

First, it’s important to recognise the importance of including wellbeing in the appraisal process. A recent study by the British Medical Association predicts that almost half of hospital doctors plan to leave the NHS, risking the collapse of our health service.

A software provider of appraisal documentation (L2P) recently confirmed that out of 30,000 doctors completing well-being scores as part of their appraisal (rating their wellbeing score from 1 = Poor to 10 = Excellent) 18.4% rated themselves 5 or below.  These are the doctors who openly admitted their low score.

In addition, as we enter winter, more and more NHS wards will fill with COVID patients. With a lack of a break since then, stress and burnout is likely to increase.  Appraising the wellbeing of medical professionals will give healthcare a chance to identify and address the issues.

Practise makes perfect

The first step to solving any problem is admitting there is one. As our recent Meet the Trainer with Simon Shepard stated, many medical practitioners are trained to look at the physical, and neglect wellbeing.  Now the new appraisal process has reintroduced wellbeing, medical professionals will find themselves challenged if they do not have the skills to discuss an individual’s wellbeing.

Appraisers who find it difficult to discuss wellbeing or manage difficult conversations may need to understand and practise the necessary skills. These skills include:

• Listening and using supportive language but challenging the appraisee if required
• Knowing where and to guide the appraisee if further support is required both locally and outside of the organisation
• Understanding wellbeing
• Not becoming the therapist

Our new training programme launched this autumn is tailored to bridge the gap between the wellbeing requirements of the appraisal process and the blind spots of medical practitioners. The online webinar session focuses on post-pandemic challenges that affect doctors as well as navigating the appraisal conversation and meeting the GMC requirements.

The webinar also opens discussions around how to deliver a supportive appraisal structure. We want to equip doctors and other medical professionals to embrace all aspects of the new appraisal process. It’s not just about ensuring appraisals are as effective as possible, but about protecting the people who hold up the NHS and the wider healthcare sector.

To find out more click here.