This is the second edition of Good Practice No. 1. It replaces the first edition published in July 2002.
Obstetricians and gynaecologists of consultant or non-consultant grade may be absent from their clinical work for periods beyond the annual vacation. This could be for a variety of reasons; for example, illness, maternity leave, family reasons, non-clinical sabbatical leave (including research leave) and secondment to other duties.
On returning to work, clinicians are sometimes expected to resume their previous clinical activity straightaway, without any acknowledgement of the possible deskilling that may have occurred or recognition of possible anxiety or loss of confidence about resuming clinical responsibility. For this reason, the RCOG produced guidance on return to clinical practice in 2002. The RCOG Recertification Committee considered that it was timely to revisit the guidance and to issue advice for doctors returning to clinical work after a period of absence lasting 6 months or longer. This document gives general advice, while acknowledging that the circumstances pertaining before, during and after the period of absence will vary with each case.
This document is available to download as a pdf below.
