A new software package is to be launched aimed at helping GPs save time and money when the revalidation process begins next month.
Designed by Leeds-based Osmosis, the solution has been created to help GPs present evidence of the research, learning and development they have undertaken throughout the year for their annual appraisal.
Osmosis, which was launched at this year’s Association of Primary Care Educators Conference , automatically collates any online research undertaken by a GP into PDF files in one easily accessible location which can then be shared with an appraiser.
It has been designed against the backdrop of the impending revalidation process, which means that from December 48,000 GPs nationwide must pass annual appraisals over a five-year period if they are to be relicensed to practice for a further five years.
Osmosis is pre-loaded with a number of websites identified by the company’s appraisal experts and a pilot group of 100 GPs who have already tested the solution. Users can also add their own preferred sites.
It also features a journal that enables GPs to add notes at any point in the day and share best practice with colleagues, plus smart-phone and tablet apps that enable users to upload minutes and notes from meetings and conferences.
Dr Simon O’Hara, partner at the Chevin Medical Practice in Otley and Bramhope, set up the company with web development experts, Stephen Iball and Martyn Rainford of Kirkstall-based New Knowledge Directorate. He said: “From my own experience as a GP and appraiser, I recognised that valuable online research was not actually being recorded, meaning that when the annual appraisal date approaches, the GP has to invest a significant amount of time putting together evidence of research which has taken place many months ago.
“Osmosis eliminates the time-consuming process of gathering this evidence and allows the GP to focus on their day-to-day activities, while also having the opportunity to build a really useful portfolio of research which can be easily referenced.
“This has become even more important now that revalidation has been introduced, where the onus is on the doctor to produce their own evidence of learning.”
The software, which costs £24.99 for a 12-month licence, was developed in conjunction with health informatics specialist, X-Lab.
