- Know your enemy
The Condensed Curriculum Guide published by the RCGP is about as readable as the curriculum is going to be. The book covers each of the different statements and is subdivided to detail the domains covered in each.
The GP Curriculum Centre on Healthcare Republic makes finding resources on each statement easy.
You can find the core curriculum and the interpretive statements on the RCGP's dedicated curriculum website.
Any changes to the curriculum can be found here, as well as educational resources.
- Find the weak point
The curriculum in its entirety may seem extremely daunting.
Using tools such as the New Northumberland self-rating CD-Rom or the RCGP Npep tool can help you to identify your personal strengths and weaknesses. In that way, teaching can be needs based for an individual rather than generic.
- Use the kit
The ePortfolio has a function to reorganise the learning log to show the number of entries for each curriculum domain. This identifies areas that have been less well covered to help to direct study and tutorials.
- Multiple hits
A case discussion or tutorial often covers more than one curriculum domain. A child with tonsillitis is both statement 8 'Care of Children and Young People' and statement 15.4 'ENT and Facial Problems'.
- Don't panic
Many of the statements will be covered without the need for formal learning. During your time as a GP registrar you will gain knowledge and experience from your trainer.
Essentials Checklist
- The Condensed Curriculum Guide, RCGP, 2007
- GP Curriculum Centre www.healthcarerepublic.com/curriculum
- RCGP curriculum website www.rcgp-curriculum.org.uk
- Self-rating tools
- ePortfolio
Contributed by Dr Anna Cumisky, a locum GP in Bath
