Training Information - Step by step

Step by step of training

This is a short description of how to become a trainer, the way the system works and the general flow of forms and information whilst training.

The training courses are designed to give an introduction to training. However, just like the driving test, it isn’t until you get a real registrar that you really do start to learn how to train and the various problems to overcome.

If you are considering becoming a training practice it is advisable to talk to one of the Course Organisers (now call Primary Care Medical Educators) or the Associate Directors to discuss your intentions. The various requirements are set out on the “criteria for practices” page and you may need to get some help and guidance regarding these criteria. The following link identifies those capabilities required to become a trainer. Trainer Competencies

We try to “buddy” practices up with another local practice to act as support for all the various hoops to jump through. This can take the form of a telephone call to a full meeting with trainers and managers to get a better perspective on how a training practice functions. There are many small tips about timetable, tutorial organisation etc. which are worth passing on. However a lot of the information is available in the Regional Deanery document from GP Rigistrar year Book 2001.

Attendance at one of the trainer courses is required which then leads onto a practice inspection by the Associate Director. He/she will guide you through all the initial steps of the process.

Once you have indicated your intention of becoming a training practice you are invited to attend the trainer workshops to become familiar with your fellow trainers. These workshops run throughout the year and form part of the support network, both administratively and educationally. Many issues are raised and discussed.

The Registrars are allocated to try to ensure those new trainers get a registrar early on. It is very disappointing to have passed all the requirements only to remain fallow for a period of time. The Registrar is asked to introduce him or herself to the practice before the start of the 12m training period.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE FORM R7 IS COMPLETED AND SENT OFF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS NO FORM MEANS NO SALARY FOR THE REGISTRAR. R7 Form (online soon)

Once the registrar starts you should get them to sign a contract within the first 2-4 weeks. The details of this contract is available at: GPR Contract

You will also be required to complete an educational contract with the registrar. Details of this can be found at Agreements


At the start of the training year you need to undertake an assessment of their training needs as part of the “formative assessment”. This may change through the year but it has to start somewhere! There are some tools used to help identify the registrars’ strengths and weaknesses.

One is the “Wolverhampton Grid” but you may want to try others. It is a good starting tool.

Details of the formative paperwork can be found on the following link and contains a lot of forms. The main ones to complete are the 3, 6 and 11 month forms. They are self explanatory.

The registrar needs to complete the following
1. Audit
2. Video
3. MCQ
4. Trainers report

All these have to be done within certain deadlines so it is strongly advisable to plane the registrar year early on and start activity early e.g. video work within the first month.
The timetable and deadlines for the various MCQ’s, audit and video submissions can be found on
the following LINK

Further information and tips can be found on the official Summative assessment web site in their downloads section.

Planning the year and submitting the various elements on time can be a long process so allow time to administrate these. The registrar will need advice and general discussion so all their teaching time is not necessarily hard teaching.

Don’t forget the Region operates a “single route” pathway for video and MCQ.
This means that the registrar submits a video which goes to marking in the membership exams. If it passes then the registrar need not submit for the Summative assessment. If it fails it will be sent on for marking in Summative Assessment. If it fails this it will be up to region whether the registrar is offered any extra help.
The same goes for the MCQ i.e. a pass at MRCGP level is accepted as a pass at Summative level and the Summative MCQ need not be done. The failed MRCGP MCQ is not given to those who mark Summative assessment. A fail at the MRCGP means that the Summative assessment mcq will have to be sat separately and passed to progress.

At the end of the year, about 4 weeks before completion and if all the Summative assessment components have been satisfied a VTR1 form needs to be completed and sent to the regional office for further signing. This will be returned to the registrar to send off to the JCPTGP.
The VTR1 form is available at the following link and includes the VTR2 form. Just ignore this, it is for hospital attachments.

Towards the end of the registrar year the various forms (VTR forms 1 and 2,) will all have to be sent onto the JCPTGP (soon to be PMETB). They in turn will send on the appropriate documentation to certify accreditation for General Practice training.
The Director of General Practice train will sign the VTR1 form to state that the registrar has satisfied all parts of Summative assessment. For further information.

A few small issues need to be included. These are sickness and maternity leave. Absences should be discussed with the course organiser/PCME as sometimes there are wider issues about punctuality/sickness record form previous jobs that need to be addressed. Extensions to training sometimes need to be done.

The other issue is around poorly performing doctors. If, for, whatever reason you feel the registrar under your care is not performing up to your expectations you need to contact the Associate Director for the area or one of the PCME.
Extra remedial help and training may be available for the registrar. The problems faced when registrars fails Summative assessment are so great it is far better to face the situation earlier than later. There maybe a mismatch in personalities, expectations or motivation. The registrar may be ill but these factors need to be looked at within the first 2-3 months of training to be able to put them right.
Registrars who fail feel let down by the whole system for not helping them earlier.
Don’t forget if Summative assessment is not passed the registrar can’t work in general practice at all.It is a complete block to their career intentions.