Researchers have devised a new scoring system to recognise outstanding contributions to NHS care from doctors and dentists in England and Wales.
Schemes have been in place to reward clinicians who go above and beyond since the NHS’s inception in 1948. They have been known as merit awards, clinical excellence awards, and as of 2022, clinical impact awards.
The latest switch came with a renewed focus on accessibility, inclusivity, and impact rather than an excellence.
“Clinical excellence awards represent substantial public spending and thus far the deployment of these funds has lacked a strong evidence base,” said Professor John Campbell, the lead author of a new study from the University of Exeter.
“We have supported the team responsible for the governance of the scheme by developing a new scoring system, which shows potential improvements over current assessment arrangements.”
Exeter University researchers are proposing a new scoring system to follow the change; one they hope is:
- Robust
- Equitable
- Able to distinguish between levels of excellence
- Aligns with the scheme’s overall goals
Under the current system, clinicians are graded on a four-point scale, which the new process would change to a wider 0-10 score with each point having a clear criteria. Applicants would be compared to peers in similar roles.
A pilot study demonstrated the two scoring systems were comparable in terms of reliability, but the University of Exeter’s showed signs of being better at differentiating between those showing higher levels of performance.
Support for the retention of pro rating of award values for consultants working less than full time was also found – something which was removed during the latest reforms.
The research team are now calling for a larger investigation into the merits of the proposed scoring system.
The study was published in JRSM Open – a companion publication of the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.
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