I've just survived my 2nd appraisal! One thing that I've realized about this
process is how little is thought of the GPs who spend substantial time on
the IT/Read Coding etc side within the practice. I was told by my appraiser
that the many hours that I had spent in these areas were not valid in any
way for my appraisal. I was carrying out 'tasks' and these are viewed as
part of General Practice. It seems my present partners viewed this side in
the same vein, as oddly enough at a time when I hear that all other
practices are crying out for a partner with these skills, they were not
interested in giving me any time to use my skills.

As a result of my partners views and a number of other issues with them, I
am moving practice. As a result of what my appraiser has said, maybe I
should look very seriously at the amount of effort I put into IT, Coding and
developments. I would get substantial Brownie points for being Clinical
Governance Lead, Prescribing Lead, etc, etc, but the IT development and
coding side - no way.

The only area that seems to attract any 'kudos' for appraisal related to IT
is audit. It does not matter what you audit, provided that you do it!
Thankfully I had spent an excellent day on a training course run by Arun
Agrawal using EMIS & Excel so excused myself by saying that I was waiting to
do a great deal of audit in my new practice.

My Appraisal was earlier this year as I wanted to get this out of the way
and leave it with my other baggage at my present practice. Moving on to my
new one September 1st and looking forward to a lot of positive vibes.

Has anyone else met this negative attitude to GPs who spend quite a lot of
there own time sorting out the IT/development/coding side??

One positive thing that I did learn to help me in the future is that I have
been putting down 'tasks' in my PDP. - WRONG - what I should be doing is
thinking about these tasks and then working backwards - find out what my
learning needs are for the task in hand - put this down as my learning need
and then the ask is the outcome. This may seem obvious to many of you, but
it only clicked with me during my appraisal.

Having said all the above I have to say that I liked my appraiser and got on
well with him, although I still find it a very 'intense' meeting. My first
appraisal took 5 hours - this one was down to 3.5 - how long have others
taken?? I think it crazy how we go through the chat, and then have to write
up the discussion, and then refine the PDP. I think it takes a lot longer
than the 'powers that be' envisaged. Also took me a week again to prepare
beforehand. Maybe I'm just a sad case!

Best wishes

Paul Bromley