Appraisal, wellbeing, and pandemics: is a focus on wellbeing now warranted?

Appraisal, quiescent in the initial COVID-19 response in the UK, may restart in October, but differently. In early July, GPs in England were told of the intention: ‘... to re-purpose the appraisals process in the context of the pandemic ... to anchor the new approach around professional development and support, focusing on well-being as well as minimise the supporting information requirements.’ 1 A few weeks later, the Interim Chief Medical Officer for Scotland wrote to Responsible Officers signalling change: ‘In planning to recommence appraisals I would encourage you to work with your appraisers to ensure that forthcoming appraisals focus on the well-being of the doctor.’ 2 Acknowledgement of the need to reduce the burden of the appraisal process is welcome; however, more needs to be done to also clarify its purpose and value. The evidence on the benefits of appraisal is limited and findings are mostly based on self-reported, subjective assessments, the results of which vary widely.3,4 Is this focus on doctors’ wellbeing a sign of an emerging kinder, more informal, flexible, and supportive appraisal process? And can such a process meaningfully respond to the reported increasing levels …