ABSTRACT
Continuing professional development (CPD) takes time. It makes sense to utilise the time spent by overlapping learning to meet the personal and professional needs with that required for the performance of the role in the health service. Many health professionals have drawn up a personal development plan (PDP) that is agreed with their local CPD or college tutor. The new emphasis on health professionals’ accountability to the public has given the PDP a higher profile and shown that it may be used in other ways. Appraisal is a formative and developmental process that is being introduced by the Departments of Health for all general practitioners and hospital consultants working in the NHS across the UK. Appraisal must be a positive, formative and developmental process to support high quality patient care and improve clinical standards. Appraisal will provide a regular, structured recording system for documenting progress towards revalidation and identifying needs as part of the doctor’s PDP.
