Record of in-training assessment (RITA) for trainees in public health

RITA competencies in public health (listed in the Public Health Training Portfolio)

RITA Forms

External RITA Assessors

Background

All assessments must be consistent with the requirements laid out in "A Guide to Specialist Registrar Training"(orange book).

Paragraph from the Orange Book:[ Section 11, Page 135, Point 11]

"Speciality Based panel, accountable to the postgraduate dean and operating on behalf of the deanery Specialty Training Committee, undertakes the annual review. It takes advice from Colleges, Faculties and SACs and decides on trainees' progress and training needs at their annual review. The compositions of the panel should be agreed by the deanery Specialty Training Committee, taking account of the requirements of the relevant Royal College or Faculty."

There is requirement for each College or Faculty to issue additional guidance for their specialty.

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Composition of the RITA Annual Review Panel

The Panel for Public Health RITA Review should consist of the following:

  • Faculty Adviser or Deputy
  • Programme Director or Deputy
  • Representation from Academic Dept
  • Chair of the Regional Specialist Training Committee /Education and Training Committee
  • External Assessor *
  • Representative of the Post Graduate Medical Dean
  • Health Protection Specialist**

Note: Individuals may represent more than one constituency. However minimum size of the Annual Review Panel should be three.

*mandatory for penultimate RITA assessments (year before the final year of training), recommended for all assessments

**recommended for those wishing to specialise in Health Protection, this should be considered good practice for all assessments

It is recommended that all RITA panel members should be trained prior to taking part in any annual assessments.

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Process of Review and Accompanying Documentation

Standard documentation is considered by the RITA panel at each review and this should include the following documents, which are circulated at least 2 weeks prior to the review panel members:

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Minimum Requirements:

  • Section A of the Training Portfolio
  • Any recommendations for action arising from previous RITA assessment and progress on achievement of objectives of the last year assessment
  • Progress on Examinations
  • Structured and up to date CV - maximum 3 page, highlighting academic & service achievements and publications
  • Courses/Conference attended & Record of Study Leave
  • Report from Lead service trainer and academic tutor

Wherever a reference is taken, it must be an open and structured reference from the service trainer, or academic tutor where appropriate. This is only beneficial if it contributes to an assessment of competencies in the training portfolio.

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Timing of Review

The Faculty recommends all deaneries should run full RITA panels twice yearly, at six monthly intervals, as a minimum. This will ensure that all trainees can be assessed at reasonable intervals after appointment, and annually thereafter, whatever time of year they are appointed. This will also allow follow up for review of Form D and E at the required 6 monthly intervals and allow timely issue of Form G and Form 3 at the completion of training.

It is recommended that individual trainees should have their first review within 12 months but not earlier than 6 months after commencing training.

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Feedback from the Panel

A RITA Summary of Annual Review Form [PDF] has been designed to ensure that all trainees receive structured feedback in a consistent format following the annual review.

Structured written feedback should be given to the trainee within a month of the meeting of the review panel, with a copy to the lead trainer. Information should be provided under the following headings

  • Current anticipated CCST date, and details of any changes made and reason for changes made at review
  • Feedback on achievements and progress against recommendations made since last review
  • Recommendations & action for follow up from the present review

Copy of RITA Form C or D or E or F or G

  • Timing of next review
  • Information on appeal procedures

All trainees should be given the opportunity to comment back to the Chair of RITA review panel on factual inaccuracies arising from the document and recommendations arising from the review.

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Appeals

Suggested Format for Appeals Against Review Panel: If you disagree with the assessment results, we have established an Appeal Panel to hear any appeals against the judgement of the Annual Assessment Panel. The Appeals Panel is a sub-committee of the Education Committee for Public Health Medicine. Its membership is different from the Assessment Panel and comprises of a Chair, two Deputy Faculty Advisers, a Service Training and an Academic Trainer.

Dr Sushma Acquilla

Agreed by the EDFAC 12 January 2000

(Updated 13.09.04)