With the final detail of the appraisal format still to be decided, college chairman Professor Steve Field said that appraisers were among vulnerable groups needing support.
'The problem for the appraisers is that they have to work to a primary care organisation, but their readiness for revalidation varies, their training of appraisers varies and their support has varied.
'I am absolutely determined that we will have a revalidation system that does not alienate GPs but we need to be careful that appraisers are trained and supported, and the same goes for responsible officers.'
RCGP revalidation lead Professor Mike Pringle said guidance was being refined that would soon clarify how the system would evolve and the skills that would be required of appraisers.
'That will be a public document and will help a lot of appraisers to see what will be expected of them,' he said.
