All 164 GP appraisers in NHS Scotland were randomly split into three groups, and one of three appraisal activities (SEA, criterion audit, or videotaped consultations) was allocated to each. To maximise fairness for participants and encourage engagement with the study, group numbers were adjusted to account for the effort needed to perform each activity (for example, fewer individuals were allocated to video consultation than SEA because the former is much more onerous). Appraisers were invited to undertake the allocated activity within a 4-month timeframe and submit this to the NES peer feedback model. Informed consent was obtained by providing a full written description and purpose of the evaluation. A standardised re-imbursement fee was offered by the host organisation (NES) to cover back-fill costs for GP participation time.
How this fits in
GP appraisal is considered inadequate and needs to be more robust and objective. The quality of core appraisal activities undertaken by GPs is also known to be variable. Independent feedback by trained peers on these activities is proposed as a potential educational solution. This study provides evidence that GP appraisers who received peer feedback on appraisal activities found it acceptable and educationally useful. Furthermore, they agreed it would ‘add value’ in improving the quality of appraisal evidence.