Peer Review

Policy

Regular peer reviews encourage individual accountability and help our practice improve the quality of the services we provide to our patients. Peer review is part of continuing professional development, and "provides a forum for constructive discussion and collegial support with the purpose of improving clinical care and patient outcomes" (Continuing Professional Development Programme / 2017–2020).

Clinical staff engage in peer review in accordance with the guidelines set out by the RNZCGP and NZNO.

Clinicians

All clinicians at GPDocs Model Practice participate in the RNZCGP's annual MOPS programme, which requires at least 10 hours per year (if on the annual programme) of peer review sessions for clinicians on the annual programme. The RNZCGP recognises the following activities as peer review:

• attendance at peer group meetings (group must be College-registered)
• individually designed peer review sessions, such as mentoring with another clinician or locum handover meetings that include case-based discussions
• hospital mortality and morbidity meetings
• review visits with a clinical focus
• colleague feedback
• discussion of colleague professional development plans.

Nurses

Practice nurses should regularly review clinical cases with their peers to assess decision-making and identify any areas for learning.

Nurses working towards an approved professional development and recognition programme (PDRP) complete a peer case review every three years.

Resources

• RNZCGP – Peer Review Guide
• RNZCGP – Peer Review Activities: Interactive learning resource
• RNZCGP – Continuing Professional Development Programme, 2017–2020
• NZNO – Approved professional development and recognition programmes (PDRPs)