The Peer Appraisal Handbook for General Practitioners

In the wake of such scandals as Bristol, Alder Hey and Shipman, government and the public have quite rightly demanded more openness and accountability from the medical profession. However, if re-accreditation for GPs is going to be regulated, it would seem reasonable to begin the process ourselves rather than wait to be dragged through a revalidation process that has been imposed upon us.

In Primary Care, doctors seem to be fairly unanimous as to what constitutes reasonable and effective care, and therefore the task of appraisal for GPs could and should be carried out by the GPs themselves. But if it's going to be done properly, there has to be a formal structure to peer appraisal,otherwise it will not be deemed effective by those eager to criticise the standards of the profession.

Thus "The Peer Appraisal Handbook for General Practitioners" presents a framework for Practitioners wishing to deliver a peer appraisal process that is effective, reproducible and part of ongoing professional development. The book, which is written by two members of the Institute of Healthcare Management, together with a General Practitioner, demonstrates a "10-Step" approach to peer appraisal.

The authors intend the process to be used in Primary Care to enable GPs in a single practice to undertake their own in-house appraisals. However, the authors point out that this process could be used by any group of GPs, including non-principals and single handed practitioners, who may get together in a group for this purpose.

The book's "10 Steps" of appraisal include both the practical and the administrative aspects of peer appraisal including confidentiality, training for appraisal, and when and where to hold the interviews. The authors make it clear that the intentions of the process are educational and the development of the individual, and that peer appraisal is not meant to be a punitive instrument.

The book is laid out in short easy-to-read chapters related to each of the 10 steps, and is filled with examples of proformas that can be used as part of the appraisal process. I particularly enjoyed the section on giving feedback and the importance of constructive rather than destructive feedback. The examples given were an excellent demonstration of this important part of peer appraisal, and though apparently obvious, good feedback still requires so much thought and sensitivity in its application.

With re-accreditation and revalidation for Primary Care high on the government's agenda, this book should be read by all General Practitioners. We will all eventually have to become part of this process, and knowledge of the contents of this book will make the whole process so much easier!

Publisher:	Radcliffe Medical Press
	ISBN: 1-85775-570-7

Price:	£19.95

Reviewer:	Dr Adrian Boonin