Appraisal of general practitioners working in occupational medicine: what happens, and what do they think about it?

An estimated 3200 GPs work in occupational medicine (OM) on a sessional basis in addition to their primary care commitments. Most of these hold the Diploma of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (D Occ Med). These GP occupational physicians appear to have no formal structure for their continuing medical education in OM beyond the training undertaken for this diploma, which may be accessed in a number of centres throughout the UK. The aims of this study are to explore the appraisal process for GPs working in OM and to determine the opinions about appraisal of a sample who contribute to a national reporting network for occupational disease and work-related ill health (THOR-GP). Postal questionnaires were sent to 291 GPs. Only 15% of this sample of doctors had undergone appraisal during the year of study (2006) though 22% were appraisers in general practice. The subjects' preference was for appraisal by fellow GPs working in OM. Arrangements for appraisal for GPs practising OM do not appear to have been fully addressed or implemented.