Is the eFolio and completion of the skills and competencies log important? Do I have to do it?
The eFolio is an essential component of your undergraduate training; it is NOT optional and by the end of your Final Year you must complete it satisfactorily in order to be able to graduate. Every year you will be required to upload specific evidence to demonstrate your competence and to practice the skills such as reflection and time management which are vital for the upkeep of a professional portfolio. This will not be formally assessed however the content of your eFolio will form the basis of the discussion in your yearly Personal Performance Development review ( PPDR) with your personal Academic Tutor.
In the final two years of your course eFolio provides a record of your competence in various practical procedures which are mandated by the GMC. Because these are a GMC requirement for all medical students prior to commencing Foundation Training, your eFolio will be checked in detail and where necessary, reviewed by a clinical academic. The reviewers will check that you have uploaded the correct evidence. If all the required evidence is uploaded correctly you will be signed off as complete.
There are many advantages of an online portfolio:
1. The eFolio introduces you to an electronic portfolio which will be a key element to demonstrate your Foundation Programme learning outcomes after graduation. As a Foundation doctor, you will be obliged to keep your on-line learning portfolio up-to-date, so it is vital to get into the habit of keeping evidence of competencies you have achieved as you go along. Doing it all at the last minute will reflect badly on you and your time management skills, and your evidence is likely to be of a poorer quality. It is also important that you can reflect meaningfully on your clinical skills and experience and be able to discuss these with your supervisors during FY training. Therefore practising it now in your undergraduate years will you hone this important learning tool.
2. The eFolio is a safe and accessible place to store evidence to demonstrate your achievements; this includes the competencies, completed Assessment of Clinical Competence (ACC) forms, and certificates from courses you have attended etc. You may also wish to keep your own copies of any paperwork handed into the Student Office such as End of Placement sign off forms, ACCs etc as these cannot be returned to you later.
3. You will be able to retain access to eFolio after completing your training; this is important as many hospitals require documentation to confirm that you have achieved these competencies at the start of Foundation Training. By working steadily to attain these during your undergraduate years, you will give yourself the best possible start to your Foundation jobs. Failure to do so is likely to prevent you being able to commence work in the Foundation programme.
Ultimately, the e-Folio has been set up to support your progress towards achievement of all the essential skills and competencies and your completion of it is obligatory in order for you to graduate. YOU CANNOT GRADUATE WITHOUT A COMPLETE eFOLIO EVEN IF YOU HAVE PASSED ALL OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE FINAL EXAMINATIONS.