Description
Deepa Bose, an orthopedic surgeon based in Birmingham, introduces herself and outlines her role as chair of the Specialty Advisory Committee (SAC) tasked with evaluating applications for the Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) in Trauma and Orthopedics (T&O). She discusses upcoming changes to the CESR pathway, shifting to a New Portfolio Pathway as of November this year, which will offer greater flexibility in recognizing international skills and experience.
The old CESR process, based on demonstrating equivalence to a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), required significant paperwork, rigid evidence types, and focused on aligning with the training program rather than assessing candidates' readiness for the specialist register. The new system aims to reduce administrative burden, allow diverse evidence types for demonstrating knowledge and experience, and clarify that the CESR should not be viewed as a lesser qualification compared to a CCT.
Changes include a revised focus on demonstrating current competence without needing to show strict equivalence to a CCT, allowing the same evidence to be applied across multiple competencies, and authentic evidence of recent practice. A critical point discussed is that while there will be new guidelines for evaluating applications, standards will remain high despite some perceptions of ease. Additionally, the presentation highlights expectations for portfolio applications, with an emphasis on clear documentation and credible evidence submissions.
The presentation also touches upon the importance of various forms of documentation, including workplace-based assessments (WBAs) and multi-source feedback (MSF), and reassures applicants about evaluation practices. Audience interactions emphasize concerns regarding the impact of COVID-19 on experience accumulation and the scrutiny of validity in work experience not documented formally through traditional rotations. Deepa Bose concludes by inviting further inquiries and reinforcing a commitment to maintaining standards while acknowledging unique challenges faced during recent years.