What does each RCP Outcome mean?

Outcome 1

Satisfactory progress – Achieving progress and the development of competences/

capabilities at the expected rate

Satisfactory progress is defined as achieving the competences/capabilities in the curriculum

at the rate required.

Specialty training - the rate of progress should be defined in the specialty curriculum (e.g.

with respect to assessments, experiential opportunities, examinations etc). It is possible for

trainees to achieve competences/capabilities at a more rapid rate than defined and this may

affect their CCST date.

Dental Core Training – successfully achieved the predefined competence and other

requirements of the post.

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

Development of specific competences/capabilities required – Additional training time

not required

The trainee’s progress has been acceptable overall but there are some competences/

capabilities that have not been fully achieved and need to be further developed. It is not

expected that the prospective date for completion 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 that 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 is released from the training programme if there is

still 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 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 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 1 is likely on the basis of 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 on the basis of 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 award of a CCST.

The panel will need to consider the overall progress of the trainee and ensure that all the

competences/capabilities of the specialty curriculum have been achieved prior to

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. This evidence will be

considered by the RCP panel 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 competences/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

competences/capabilities not fully achieved, which the trainee needs to develop to achieve

the full competences/ 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 training programme – With or without specified

competences/capabilities

The panel will recommend that the trainee is released from the training programme if there is

still insufficient and sustained lack of progress or if the trainee resigns. The panel should

document relevant competences/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

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

on the basis of 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

competences/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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