WhatsApp(TM) for CESR: Experience From a Peer Support Group

AIMS: Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) is an alternative pathway for doctors to join the General Medical Council (GMC) specialist register in the United Kingdom (UK). Despite significant official resources provided online by both the GMC and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), a lot of doctors working toward CESR in psychiatry specialties find the system complex and do not fully understand how to start, especially candidates from abroad. Therefore, a WhatsApp(TM) group has been set up to provide peer support to any doctors who want to achieve CESR in psychiatry specialties. This article is aimed to share the reflective experience of managing the WhatsAppTM peer support group. METHODS: The WhatsApp(TM) group entitled “CESR Aspirants” was created on 23 April 2020 by four UK speciality doctors. The number had grown to the size of 218 participants on 19 December 2022. Any doctors could join the group via the common link. All questions and inputs were welcomed as long as the professionalism and values of the group were respected. The discussion was analysed and grouped into different themes to understand the common questions. RESULTS: The participants in the group come from 12 countries. The main themes of discussion include the following: clarification of the official guidelines, exploration of types of primary evidence for different domains, troubleshooting individual challenges, sharing of experience and resources, questions about resources available, recognition of CESR in the international arena, motivation to each other, and validation of others’ frustration. There is a significant heterogeneous level of support from local employers to CESR candidates, ranging from the absence of support due to prioritisation of service delivery to a structured CESR fellowship. Psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy emerged to be commonly discussed issues as not all candidates had access to those services in their practice. More questions were asked by doctors practising in the UK rather than candidates from abroad. There were three candidates who obtained their CESR in the group. CONCLUSION: CESR requires significant effort from candidates. The repetitive theme in certain aspects of clinical domains reflects the common challenges faced by candidates as a result of limitations at the workplace. Therefore, support from the employer is essential for candidates to be successful in their CESR journey. Ultimately, a successful CESR candidate will mean extra consultant psychiatrist manpower to the employer. The creation of a local fellowship or mentorship programme will likely be helpful.