Part of Curriculum level 3 - guidance
Module 3.6 - Phases of risk assessment and risk acceptability
This combined module addresses initial and residual risk assessment, the use of risk evaluation frameworks, and the principles of acceptability and acceptance. Participants will be able to assess, justify and evaluate clinical risk.
This module will provide:
- Harm severity and likelihood concepts
- Difference between qualitative and quantitative risk assessment
- Difference between risk estimation and risk evaluation
- Acceptability and acceptance concepts
- Risk matrices and their limitations
- Assesses and justifies initial risk ratings
- Articulates and documents rationale for risk assessment
- Pragmatic, credible and transparent
- Open to challenge
- Critical thinker
Learning outcome 9
Initial and residual risk assessment and estimation.
Content guidance
1. Severity and likelihood in practice
Harm severity and likelihood concepts.
Assessing and justifying initial risk ratings.
Learning outcome 10
Process and purpose of risk evaluation.
Content guidance
1. From estimation to evaluation
Difference between risk estimation and evaluation.
Acceptability and acceptance concepts.
Supporting senior stakeholders in decision-making.
Learning outcome 13
Justification of risk assessment.
Content guidance
1. Defensible risk justifications
Explaining the sequence of events that could lead to credible harm.
Structured arguments supported by evidence.
Learning outcome 14
Use of an appropriate framework to evaluate risk.
Content guidance
1. Choosing and applying frameworks
Risk matrices and their limitations.
Conditions under which a chosen matrix may not be fit for purpose.
Last edited: 16 July 2026 9:48 am