The RCGP Essential Knowledge Updates provide GPs with a six-monthly focused update on selected items of new and changing knowledge central to everyday practice.

Introduction

Essential Knowledge Updates (EKU) focus on new and changing information that relate to key clinical areas of national significance (e.g. newly published NICE/SIGN guidelines that are central to GP everyday practice, newly published Gold Standards, new relevant legislation) where there is a dependable consensus about best practice. The template for this new tool was designed by Professor Ruth Chambers, who also co-authored the first two pilot releases.

Each Essential Knowledge Update item is hyperlinked to the original source document and summarises the key information. Then we suggest ways that you can reflect on and compare your own practice against the standards and best practice described. We give you practical tips that the busy GP may want to remember. A clinical scenario follows to allow you to demonstrate that you have assimilated, or already knew the information in the Update item. Lastly we challenge you to capture any learning or service needs in your personal development plan – and guide you to further reading if you want to know more.

The purpose of the Essential Knowledge Update programme:

• Enable GPs to be aware of, and learn about, new and changing information relevant to the GP specialty (that is, important newly published best practice or national guidance or research / consensus of key relevance to GPs) and encourage effective application of that knowledge to enhance their patients’ experience
• Enable GPs to meet previously identified and unrealised learning needs in relation to new and changing knowledge and information relevant to general practice
• Encourage practising GPs to apply the learning of Essential Knowledge Update content, to enhance their skills
• Be a key element of a GP’s annual CPD folder that can be self-accredited or accredited by peer review within the terms and conditions of the managed RCGP CPD scheme
• Contribute, in due course, as part of the managed CPD scheme, to the provision of evidence of a GP’s learning and application in their personal portfolio for recertification purposes

Are you up to the Challenge?

Accompanying each Update is an optional Essential Knowledge Challenge - an online assessment to test your understanding of the Update. You can take the Challenge as many times as you need until you pass; then you will be able to download a certificate for your appraisal folder or ePortfolio.

The Updates and Challenges are free-of-charge to RCGP Members and AiTs. Non-members are able to subscribe.

How are Essential Knowledge Updates Created?

Following a comprehensive information search, an expert panel identifies and prioritises the key changes in core clinical evidence which every general practitioner should know about. This evidence is incorporated into the Updates and Challenge, to support GPs and their teams in providing the best possible care to patients.