The Academy of Royal Colleges recommends that there is an assessment of doctors on return to practice after an absence of more than 3 months. The Return to work scheme reflects this but can be opted into for absences less than 3 months if trainee or Educational Supervisor feel it is necessary. Doctors in Training returning after a period of ill health may have a phased return plan organised through occupational health, which will take precedence.
The Peninsula & Severn Paediatrics have based a scheme developed by the Wessex PGME and Health Education West Midlands.
Before the period of absence:
Form 1 should be completed 1 month before the trainee doctor is due to go on absence by the trainee doctor and their Educational Supervisor. If a sudden absence occurs then it should be completed at a mutually convenient time.
| Pre-Absence Meeting with | Discussion | Completion of Form 1 |
| Educational Supervisor | Keeping up-to-date | (Pre-Absence form) |
| Use of Keeping in touch (KIT) days | Upload to ePortfolio | |
| Any Other concerns/ needs |
Pre Return to Work
The Doctor in Training must contact his / her Educational Supervisor (or nominated deputy) to arrange an initial review, initially as a face to face meeting, 6 -8 weeks PRIOR to the estimated return date. This allows time for necessary adjustments to be made to the rota.
| Pre- return to work meeting | Discussion | Completion of Form 2 |
| with educational supervisor | Any specific learning needs, period of observation, rota issues/ early on-call | (Pre return to work Form) |
| Use of kit days | Upload to ePortfolio | |
| Up-to-date with courses | ||
| Are they planning to become LTFT | ||
| Any other concerns/ needs |
Post Return to Work
The Doctor in Training must contact his / her Educational Supervisor to arrange a Post return to Work review, as a face to face meeting, 2-3 weeks after to their return date. This form is different to their Initial placement meeting as a Post Return to Work meeting is to review the trainees progress with respect to a time of absence, however it could be done at the same time as the Trainee initial meeting.
| Post return to work meeting | Discussion | Completion of Form 3 |
| With educational supervisor (ES) | Summary of ePortfolio entries & assessments | (post return to work Form) |
| Overall progress and outstanding concerns | upload to ePortfolio | |
| Sign off of forms by Trainees & ES |