Innovation
Introducing the use of the electronic Graduate E-portfolio (PebblePad) to enable trainees to plan and reflect on their learning and development of competencies on clinical placements. The clinical tutors have access to uploaded activity sheets that outline the learning and development opportunities.
What prompted innovation?
The need for more purposeful and accessible individual learning plans (ILPs) in response to trainee feedback on the existing paper ILP format, and based on clinical tutors’ experience of supporting the planning of learning objectives.
What makes innovation different?
- It enables trainees to reflect on their personal and professional learning, rather than the previous system of simply logging clinical contacts and checking off a tick list of competencies.
- It also enables clinical tutors to have immediate electronic access to the detailed learning opportunities experienced on placement. Mid-placement review meetings can therefore have a greater emphasis on shaping future learning and development in response to need.
Changes in practice
- Trainees now share their ILP with clinical tutors in advance of placement review meetings.
- Ideas for future development are identified early.
Impact
As this approach was only introduced at the beginning of the academic year, we are piloting its usefulness and have yet to collect evidence of impact. However, anecdotal evidence from the trainees to date is that the system enables increased reflection about their learning.
Dissemination
- All clinical tutors have access to all trainee ILPs.
- Local clinical supervisors within the NHS are aware of the process and can thus facilitate the trainee’s development needs.