What does each RCP Outcome mean?

Outcome 1

Satisfactory progress – This refers to achieving progress and developing competencies/capabilities at the expected rate. Satisfactory progress means that the competencies/capabilities outlined in the curriculum are being achieved at the necessary pace. In specialty training, the expected rate of progress should be defined in the specialty curriculum, which includes guidelines for assessments, experiential opportunities, examinations, etc. Trainees may achieve competencies/capabilities at a faster rate than specified, which may impact their Certificate of Completion of Specialty Training (CCST) date.

Dental Core Training – Trainees must successfully meet the predefined competencies and other requirements of their post.

Outcome 2 (only applicable in Dental Core Training at 6-month RCP)

The development of specific competences/capabilities requires additional training time not required. The trainee’s progress has been acceptable overall, but some areas that have not been fully achieved and need to be further developed. It is not expected that the prospective completion date of training will need to be extended or that a period of additional remedial training will be required. The panel should identify and record the further development needs and bring these to the attention of the trainee’s TPD and educational supervisor. A debriefing meeting should be arranged as soon as possible after the RCP between the trainee and ES, who will make clear to the trainee and the employer/s what must be done to achieve the required competences and the assessments.

Outcome 3

Inadequate progress – Additional training time required

The RCP panel has identified that a formal additional period of training is required, which will extend the duration of the training programme and for specialty trainees, the award of CCST. A debriefing meeting should be arranged as soon as possible after the RCP between the trainee and ES, the TPD and, if appropriate, the Associate Postgraduate Dental Dean. It needs to be made clear to the trainee and the employer/s what additional training is required and the circumstances under which it should be delivered (e.g. concerning the level of supervision). It will, however, be a matter for the Postgraduate Dental Dean to determine the details of the additional training within the context of the panel’s recommendations, since this will depend on local circumstances and resources.

Where such additional training is required because of concerns over progress, the overall duration of the extension to specialty training should normally be for a maximum of one year, unless, exceptionally, this is extended at the discretion of the Postgraduate Dental Dean, but with an absolute maximum of two years of additional training during the total duration of the training programme. For LTFTs, extensions to training for whatever reason will be prorata. The extension does not have to be taken as a block of one year but can be divided over the course of the training programme as appropriate. Where there has been a failure of a Royal College examination, training should normally be extended to the date of the next diet.

Dental Core Training – Extension of training for a maximum period of 12 months is at the

discretion of the local Postgraduate Dental Dean.

Outcome 4 (W)

Released from training programme – With or without specified competences/capabilities.

The panel will recommend that the trainee be released from the training programme if there is still an insufficient and sustained lack of progress. The panel should document relevant competences/capabilities that have been achieved by the trainee and those that remain outstanding. The trainee will have their National Training Number (NTN)/contract withdrawn

and may wish to seek further advice from the Postgraduate Dental Dean or their current employer about future career options.

Dental Core Training - For Dental Core Trainees, an outcome 4 is awarded to trainees who wish to leave the formal training programme before completion, decline the offer of Outcome 3 or when the Postgraduate Dental Dean has not recommended further remediation if there is still an insufficient and sustained lack of progress.

Outcome 4 (VR)

Awarded if the trainee voluntarily resigns from the training programme.

Outcome 5

Incomplete evidence presented.

The panel can make no statement about progress or otherwise where either no information or incomplete information has been supplied and/or is available to the RCP panel. The panel should agree on what outstanding evidence is required from the trainee and the timescale in which it must be provided to be able to issue an outcome.

Suppose the panel considers that an Outcome 1 is likely based on the evidence available, and satisfactory outstanding evidence is received, the panel can give authority to the Chair to issue an Outcome 1. However, if the Chair does not receive the agreed evidence to support an Outcome 1 or if the panel considers that an Outcome 2, 3 or 4 is likely based on the evidence available, then a panel will be reconvened. This reconvened panel could be

undertaken ‘virtually’.

Outcome 6 - Recommendation for completion of training:

Gained all required competences/capabilities – Will be recommended as having completed the specialty training programme. If in a run-through training programme (seamless transition from pre-CCST to post-CSST training periods) will be recommended for the award of a CCST. The panel will need to consider the overall progress of the trainee and ensure that all the competencies/capabilities of the specialty curriculum have been achieved before recommending the trainee for completion of the training programme.

Outcome 7 - Trainees in Post-CCST training posts:

Trainees in fixed-term training posts will undertake regular in-work assessments and maintain documentary evidence of progress during their appointment. The RCP panel consider the evidence will be considered by and will result in one of the following outcomes:

7.1 Satisfactory progress in or completion of the post

The trainee has demonstrated that they have acquired the competencies/capabilities expected of a trainee undertaking a placement of this type and duration at the level specified.

7.2 Development of specific competences/capabilities required - Additional training time not required. The trainee’s progress has been acceptable overall; however, there are some competencies/capabilities not fully achieved, which the trainee needs to develop to achieve the full competencies/ capabilities for this period of training. The panel will need to specifically identify in writing the further development required. The rate of overall progress is not expected to be delayed, nor will the prospective date for completion of this period of training be extended. At the next review of progression, it will be essential to identify and document that these competences/capabilities have been met.

7.3 The trainee has not made adequate progress for this period of training

If the trainee wishes to attain the described competences/capabilities, they will be required to repeat this period of training.

7.4 Released or resigned from the training programme – With or without specified competences/capabilities

The panel will recommend that the trainee be released from the training programme if there is still an insufficient and sustained lack of progress or if the trainee resigns. The panel should document relevant competencies/capabilities that have been achieved by the trainee and those that remain outstanding.

7.5 Incomplete evidence presented

The panel can make no statement about progress or otherwise since the trainee has supplied either no information or incomplete information to the panel. The panel should agree on what outstanding evidence is required from the trainee and the timescale in which it must be provided to be able to issue an outcome. If the panel considers that an Outcome 7.1 is likely based on the evidence available, and satisfactory outstanding evidence is received. The panel can give authority to the Chair to issue an Outcome 7.1. However, if the Chair does not receive the agreed evidence to support an Outcome 7.1 or if the panel considers that an Outcome 7.2, 7.3 or 4 is likely on the evidence available, then the panel will be reconvened.

Outcome 8 - Out of programme for clinical experience, research or a career break (OOPE/OOPR/OOPC)

The panel should receive documentation from the trainee on the required form (OOP Application Form) indicating what they are doing during their OOP time, if the OOP is not recognised for training.

i. OOPE: If the OOP period is to gain clinical experience that will not contribute towards the competencies/capabilities required by the training programme (OOPE), then an annual OOP report form should be submitted, including an indicative intended date of return.

ii. OOPR: If the purpose of the OOP is research, the trainee must produce a research supervisor’s report together with the annual OOP report form indicating that appropriate progress in research is being made.

iii. OOPC: If a trainee is undertaking a career break, a yearly OOPC request should be sent to the panel, indicating that the trainee is still on a career break and including an indicative intended date of return.

iv. OOPT: If the trainee is out of programme on a training placement (OOPT) that has been prospectively approved, that will contribute to the competences/capabilities of the trainee’s programme, then an Outcome 8 should not be used. Instead, a routine assessment of progression should be made, and an Outcome 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 should be awarded.

When an outcome is not issued

There are circumstances when the RCP panel would not issue an outcome, such as when the trainee is absent on statutory leave (e.g. maternity/paternity/adoption or sick leave) or where training has been paused. In these cases, the panel will record the reasons for this. 

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