Doctors applying for specialist registration via the Portfolio pathway now need to provide evidence that they have the knowledge, skills and experience required to practise as a specialist or GP in the UK. There is no longer the need to provide evidence of equivalence to CCT. This pathway was previously known as the CESR pathway.

These changes are a result of updated legislation, introduced by the UK government. It gives more flexibility to accept a broader range of evidence from doctors applying for specialist registration.

The GMC guide explains what this change means for doctors and the evidence they need to provide. There is updated specialty specific guidance for dermatology.

The GMC guide for employers, supervisors or colleagues provides information on supporting an applicant with the Portfolio pathway.

Tips for Portfolio Pathway Success

• Begin with a copy of the current Dermatology curriculum and think how equivalence with the relevant sections can be demonstrated
• Provide a clinical supervisor or mentorship if possible
• Encourage others in the department to provide ad hoc support and assistance in providing evidence for the candidates, eg via completion of workplace based assessments (WPBAs)
• Optimise the use of every learning event where possible eg documenting attendance and discussion of interesting patients on a ward round, with reflection recorded afterwards, to address specific areas of the curriculum
• The candidate must get to know the Internal Medicine as well as the Dermatology Curriculum, with the use of the Portfolio if desired to collect evidence mapped to specific areas of the curriculum
• Encourage attendance at the usual SPR recommended training courses, to fill gaps in curriculum or training, with appropriate reflection and clinical experience to back these up
• Currently, MRCP is not mandatory, however without MRCP, Internal Medicine competencies can be difficult to achieve but there is specific guidance available which is shared on the BAD Portfolio Pathway Briefings and available on the website. Networking with acute medicine and A&E colleagues supports completion of WPBAs or reflections towards acute presentations. Online general medical modules through BMJ and NHS e-learning are examples of recognised sources for gathering evidence
• Advise candidates that if medical colleagues assist with Internal Medicine competences, that any WPBA relates to that competency only and does not suggest equivalence to Internal Medicine in general
• Use evidence from appraisals within five years since the Portfolio pathway application is organised in the four domains of Good Medical Practice
• Encourage participation in audit, with completion of at least one audit cycle being mandatory
• Encourage participation in teaching, managerial and leadership projects to demonstrate the broad experience that will be required at consultant level and include the supporting evidence
• Encourage achievement of the Specialty Certificate Examination (SCE).
• Encourage networking with other Portfolio pathway applicants or recently successful candidates
• Encourage attendance at the BAD Portfolio Pathway Briefings which are supported by the GMC officers and are specific to dermatology
• Generic courses on the Portfolio Pathway are also run by GMC, RCP and local Deaneries

We welcome consultants at our regular Portfolio Pathway briefings. You will learn about evidence candidates need to gather and how to support them. Free of charge for all consultant dermatologists. For a place contact: education@bad.org.uk