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The aim of this policy brief is to develop key messages to support evidence-informed policy-making.

Policy issues and context

• In some countries, pressure is growing to demonstrate that practising physicians continue to meet acceptable standards. This is driven in part by concerns that the knowledge obtained during basic training may rapidly become out of date. It is also increasingly a way of holding physicians accountable.

• Physicians may be encouraged to engage in lifelong learning to continually update their knowledge and skills. This may involve assessing practice, identifying relevant learning objectives, acquiring skills and knowledge and carrying out assessment.

• A review of selected European countries, Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America reveals diversity in approaches to ensuring physician competence. The outcome of these processes may be recertification or relicensure.

• Revalidation is an all-encompassing term that includes all the methods used to ensure that physicians remain competent and, at its simplest, involves ensuring that a physician remains fit to practise. More complex forms can also involve interventions to deal with physicians who are not fit to practise. Hence, it can also be a method of improving physician performance.