Fitness to Practice in the Workplace: Medical Revalidation

Chapter one highlighted that two ideas have long defined the contractual nature of the relationship between the medical profession and public under the legislative terms of the principle of self-regulation. First is the idea that as an occupation which possesses specialist expertise and a strong ethical ‘service orientation’, doctors can be left alone to manage their affairs; including the training, monitoring and disciplining of group members. Second is the related idea that once qualified a doctor can be left alone to practice until they retire. It also outlined how the shift toward risk-based regulation has led to these two interrelated ideas being challenged, with contemporary reforms to the GMC introducing greater transparency and accountability in the regulation of doctors and how their fitness to practice is ensured. Chapter two focuses on one of these reforms – medical revalidation. It traces its historical development and implementation as well as critically examines recent research into its application. In doing so, the chapter highlights areas for critical consideration in relation to future policy and practice.