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GP appraisal in Scotland is a strong and vibrant process. Not least this is due to NES's commitment to the ongoing development of its appraisers. Research suggests that the key to effective appraisal is the skill of the appraiser. Training in Scotland has developed using feedback from a wide range of sources. The move from information-based courses towards skills-based courses enhances appraiser development and allows the effective evaluation of appraiser competencies. With appraisal becoming a key element in the revalidation process the quality assurance of appraisal and appraisers becomes increasingly important.

The training piloted represents an effective way to train consultants in appraisal skills. Interviewees were supportive of the pilot being continued: either nationally or cascaded down locally. Exactly what model is achievable and desirable will depend on the number of appraisers to be trained and the availability of resources to support 'enhanced' appraisal in secondary care.

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A one-day further intensive skills (FIS) course has been developed to provide additional training for existing general practitioner (GP) appraisers in Scotland. The course focuses on skills in developing the appraisee's personal development portfolio (PDP) and skills in responding to significant issues (with emotional content) presented by appraisees - both key areas for effective appraisals. The course is briefly described. An initial pilot of the course led to some changes being made to the content, as it was discovered that the inclusion of training on Summary Form completion in the pilot made the course too dense and distracted from the experiential elements of the training. Two subsequent course deliveries were evaluated by conducting semi-structured interviews with over 40% of the participants from these two courses. The main purpose of the evaluation was to discover to what extent the participants felt they had benefited from the training and whether they felt the training had led to any changes in their practice as appraisers. Secondary aims were to discover the acceptability of the use of video recording as a training technique and views regarding a reaccreditation process for appraisers. Key findings were that almost all participants found this training beneficial and judged it to have led to positive changes in their practice, as well as reassuring them that their skills were up to scratch. Some appraisers felt that it had encouraged a slightly more challenging approach. The acceptability of the use of video recording during the training, as a means of allowing participants to gain further benefit from the work undertaken after the course was finished, was tested. This technique received a mixed response, with opinion divided as to whether it added value. Opinion amongst the participants was also mixed regarding whether this training should contribute towards their reaccreditation as appraisers. However, a number of participants felt this could be a valid element in an appraiser reaccreditation process.