ARCP failure (Outcome 5) is almost always preventable. The panel is not testing your clinical ability — they are checking whether your portfolio evidence demonstrates progression across the RCGP curriculum. Missing evidence is the most common cause of adverse outcomes.
The Checklist
Learning log entries. Minimum 36 clinical case reviews per year. Range of log types — not just clinical case reviews. CPD entries, SEAs, OOH reflections, teaching, audit/QIP documentation. Contemporaneous — not batch uploaded before ARCP.
WPBA. COTs: minimum per year varies by deanery (typically 6-12) and training stage. CBDs: typically 6 per year. MSF: usually once per training year — send early, allow time for responses. PSQ: usually once in ST3.
Capability coverage. All 13 RCGP capabilities must have evidence across the training year. Check FourteenFish training map — identify gaps. Deliberately seek clinical encounters that fill uncovered capabilities.
OOH sessions. 12 required total across training. Can have 2 remaining at final ARCP if booked and evidenced. Each session needs a signed OOH form attached to a learning log entry with reflection.
Safeguarding. Updated requirements per intercollegiate documents. Adult and child safeguarding training evidence. Check your deanery's specific requirements — these change.
PDP. SMART entries updated at least every 6 months. Linked to identified learning needs from clinical case reviews and WPBAs. Documented outcomes closing the learning loop.
ESR (Educational Supervisor Report). Your ES must complete and submit by the deanery deadline. Late ESR can trigger Outcome 5. Chase your supervisor — do not assume they will remember.
Form R. Completed and submitted by deadline. This is your responsibility — late submission causes problems regardless of portfolio quality.
Final ARCP extras (ST3). Performers list application (approximately 3 months before CCT). Evidence referenced from ST3 year specifically — not just carried from ST1/ST2.
Common Outcome 5 Triggers
Missing ESR. Incomplete safeguarding. Insufficient OOH sessions. Inadequate capability coverage. Late Form R submission. Weak reflection quality flagged by ES.
Where iatroX Fits
iatroX supports multiple checklist items — CPD entries for learning log diversity, adaptive quiz performance data for PDP learning needs identification, and clinical Q&A sessions as evidence of self-directed learning.