The Logbook - Working on your own
A number of the suggestions in this toolkit rely on the doctor keeping a logbook. Many sessional doctors already do this. For those who were unaware of it, this is not a new recommendation, and it has been agreed with BMA representatives as one of the ways in which independent practitioners can be professionally accountable.
The process need not be arduous, and the content is intended to be entirely at your discretion. The main aim is to allow you to keep records for your own development and to support your practice. Examples of items which might be included are:
- A list of posts held/practices attended
- Any courses attended or other formal learning activities
- Any praise or complaints
- Personal work e.g. any audit of your clinical practice or work with a group of sessional doctors
- Action points arising from your work - for example following up a problem
- A list of useful resources for your work - e.g. contact points, dates of drug expiry
- Your controlled drug register
- Expenses and billing details for your accounts
- Professional indemnity and GMC registration details
- Keep a note of practical points and procedures at any surgeries you visit regularly
The list is not exhaustive and it is intended only as an example of information which most sessional doctors will already hold but may not have compiled as a single resource.
The relevance to Appraisal
You can use your log book as the source of information for many of the questions in the appraisal Forms 1, 2 and 3. For example:
- "The Job(s) you do" can reflect the list of posts past and present
- In depth evidence for QIA can be collected by using your logbook to record specific items of information
- The section on compliments and complaints (Appraisal form 3 Domain 3 and 4) will derive directly from the log
- You may wish to keep records and evidence of achievements in the log book
- You can use the log book to note unresolved problems and learning needs on your part as part of preparing your PDP
- You can use the log book to note any concerns you want to raise with your appraiser at a later date
This page was last updated on: 26/04/2021
