SCA-SOX Programme
In November 2023 NHS England East of England launched the SCA SOX programme. This innovative programme was developed by two SCA Examiners within HEE North West. The programme is designed to support those on extension or who have previously failed pass their SCA exam.
This Programme will be delivered remotely. It is offered to all ST3 GP Trainees with an SCA exam failure. The programme is supportive and works with both the trainer and the trainee to maximise exam success. All Tier 3 Educators in the East of England have been given access to the SCA 14Fish Toolkit. There are useful resources on the Toolkit together with an explanation about the programme. The consultation resources are useful in supporting trainee’s in reviewing their consultations. There are also practical tips for both the trainer and the trainee.
The SOX programme works on the principle of the 5 main reasons why trainees pass the SCA. During the SOX tutorial the trainee will receive personalised feedback in all five domains and be given a plan of what to work on.
For more information or if you would like to be involved in the SOX programme, please contact England.Primarycare.eoe@nhs.net
Bookings for the SCA SOX Trainee Days will be done by invitation only. Only to those have failed the most recent sitting of the SCA will be invited.
-The trainee is contacted after an SCA exam failure and invited to the programme and to attend a SOX Trainee day. Their trainer will be copied into this email.
-The trainee attends a one-day course. The day is fully facilitated by the Area Exam TPDs and regional SCA Examiners.
-The course gives an outline of the SOX programme and resources.
-The trainee completes a questionnaire before they attend. They will have the opportunity to discuss any concerns about the exam with the facilitators on the day.
-The delegates all watch a video of a recorded consultation and map it against the SCA SOX templates. They then discuss their reflections in small groups with a facilitator.
-Following this they role play 4 cases in small groups with role players. Each delegate will have at least one opportunity to role play a case first. Feedback is given by their facilitator.
-The trainee is then matched with their SOX Educator. SOX Educators are experienced GP trainers, TPDs or regional SCA Examiners. They have all been trained in the SOX programme.
-The trainee is then asked to share 3 recent consultations with their SOX Educator and Trainer.
-The SCA SOX Educator then contacts the trainee and trainer to arrange a mutually convenient time to hold the SOX tutorial.
-These tutorials have the most impact if they are conducted at least 3 months before a planned sitting to allow time for the trainee to reflect and make the necessary changes.
The tutorial is designed to be supportive to both the trainer and the trainee. The videos should be watched by the trainer, trainee and SOX Educator before the tutorial and reflected on, using the North West 14fish Consultation Toolkit RAG rating. This can be found in the online resources. The trainee will have been introduced to this on their SOX trainee day.
The SOX educator will have reviewed the trainee’s e-portfolio, the trainee’s questionnaire and the videos before the tutorial. They tutorial is held with both the trainee and trainer present. There will be discussions around any previous issues with the exam, preparation and the trainee’s readiness to sit. The videos will be reviewed and discussed, particularly focusing around consultations skills and ‘Consulting like a GP’.
The SOX Educator will complete a feedback form of the recommendations. This will be shared with the trainer and trainee and then uploaded onto the Educator Notes section of the e-portfolio.
The feedback will give recommendations and clear advice on areas to work on with practical suggestions on how this can be done.