What kind of evidence do I need to provide for CESR?

What kind of evidence do I need to provide for CESR?

To succeed in CESR, you must provide comprehensive and structured evidence that proves your experience is equivalent to a UK-trained consultant. This article explains exactly what kind of evidence you need and how to present it effectively.

🧩 What Is CESR Evidence?

CESR evidence is documentation that shows you’ve met the knowledge, skills, and competencies required in the UK specialty curriculum for your field. This includes not only clinical skills but also experience in teaching, leadership, governance, audit, and research.

The GMC and your Royal College will review this evidence to determine whether you meet the standard of a doctor who has completed UK specialty training.

📂 Key Categories of CESR Evidence

1. Clinical Experience and Competency

This is the foundation of your application. Provide:

• Case histories (10–20 anonymised cases)
  
  

• Clinical letters and reports (discharge summaries, referrals)
  
  

• Procedure logs and operative records (especially in surgical specialties)
  
  

• Multisource feedback (MSF) and workplace-based assessments (Mini-CEX, DOPS, CBDs)
  
  

2. Postgraduate Qualifications

You should include:

• Primary medical qualification
  
  

• Postgraduate diplomas or degrees (e.g. MRCP, MRCS, MRCEM, etc.)
  
  

• Medical registration documents from each country of work
  
  

• Certificates of Good Standing
  
  

These demonstrate your academic background and regulatory compliance.

3. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The GMC expects evidence of ongoing learning:

• CPD certificates from courses, conferences, or e-learning
  
  

• Reflective logs summarising what you learned
  
  

• CPD diary or portfolio, ideally covering at least the last 3–5 years
  
  

4. Audit and Quality Improvement

You should submit:

• At least two full-cycle audits
  
  

• Evidence of your role in data collection, analysis, and action plans
  
  

• Documentation of impact or change implemented after the audit
  
  

5. Teaching and Training

To demonstrate your teaching contributions, include:

• Teaching timetables
  
  

• Feedback forms from students/trainees
  
  

• Certificates from teaching courses or workshops (e.g. "Train the Trainer")
  
  

• Slides or materials you’ve developed for presentations
  
  

6. Research and Publications

If you’ve participated in research, submit:

• Published papers (with your contribution clearly stated)
  
  

• Research protocols, ethics approvals, and results
  
  

• Conference posters or presentations
  
  

7. Leadership and Management

This section can include:

• Evidence of committee membership, project leadership, or governance roles
  
  

• Participation in incident reviews, risk management, or policy development
  
  

• Appraisal summaries showing leadership behaviours
  
  

8. Professionalism and Good Medical Practice

Provide evidence of your understanding of UK ethical standards:

• Appraisal and revalidation documents
  
  

• Reflections on clinical practice or ethical challenges
  
  

• Certificates for courses on consent, safeguarding, or data protection
  
  

9. References

Submit:

• Structured references from senior consultants
  
  

• References should come from doctors familiar with your work over an extended period
  
  

• Ideally from more than one post and preferably UK-based supervisors
  
  

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🗂️ Presentation Tips

✅ Example Evidence for a Medical Specialty (e.g. General Medicine)

📝 Final Thoughts

The CESR application is not just about ticking boxes—it’s about telling your professional story through structured, verifiable, and curriculum-aligned evidence. The better you plan and organise your portfolio, the stronger your application will be.

Remember:

• You do not need to submit every possible document—only those that are relevant, current, and strong.
  
  

• If you're not sure what to include, consult the GMC's guidance and your Royal College’s specialty-specific CESR checklist.

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