Which one?
- LEA: an event that did not cause or risk serious harm but offered learning. Positive events count too.
- SEA: an event that caused, or could have caused, serious harm to a patient (the GMC threshold). Record it as an SEA in the portfolio and declare it on Form R (England) or your nation's equivalent.
The numbers by year
| Requirement | ST1 | ST2 | ST3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Event Analysis (LEA) / Significant Event Analysis (SEA) | 1 per year | 1 per year | 1 per year |
Full time, per training year unless stated. Less than full time: per-year totals stay the same and each 6-month review needs a pro rata share; 6-monthly ESRs and 12-monthly certificates are not pro rata. Check with your deanery and educational supervisor.
Notes on these numbers
- Learning Event Analysis (LEA) / Significant Event Analysis (SEA), LTFT: One per training year.
Structure
- What happened: facts, anonymised, no blame.
- Why it happened: individual, team and system factors.
- Discussion: who was involved and what was discussed, ideally at a practice or team meeting.
- What was learned, by you and by the team.
- What was changed, by whom, and how the change will be checked.
- Personal reflection and a PDP objective.
- Capabilities (often Performance, learning and teaching; Fitness to practise; Team working).
Example topics
- A result filed without action.
- A prescription issued for the wrong patient but caught by the pharmacist.
- A delayed visit request.
- A near miss that showed a good system working well.
The Log Writer has LEA and SEA entry types with these prompts.
Common ARCP pitfalls
- Blaming an individual.
- No team discussion.
- An SEA in the portfolio but not declared on Form R: a probity concern.
- Counting the LEA as your QIA.