RCGP ePortfolio Version 4.0 release notes

03 August 2009 Update

The RCGP is pleased to announce that Version 4.0 of the ePortfolio is now live.

The following list contains the updates for this version. Please note that we have several documents outlining the changes including a new Trainee Manual and guides to the new reviews. There is also a document explaining the Educators' Notes page written by Tamer Okasha, AiT Representative. These can be found at the bottom of the page.

Reviews

The Review system within the ePortfolio has been updated. Instead of fixed name reviews, there is a new more flexible system that allows for greater variations of training. For more information on these changes and how it will affect your role, please see the appropriate document at the bottom of the screen.

Reviews – New review structure within the ePortfolio.
Reviews – Creation of reviews removed from Trainer Role. Now only can be created and completed by Educational Supervisor Role.
Reviews – Option for Deanery Administrators to create reviews if needed.
Review Creation – Reminder of last review type created.
Review Creation – Date defaults to 6 months from previous review date – can still be edited.
Review Conversion – All existing reviews to be converted into new structure.
Reviews – Additional field for commenting on Quality of Evidence Presented. This is a compulsory section.

ARCP Forms

ARCP Form – Outcome order changed to match Gold Guide order – also are now numbered.
ARCP Form – Posts will now appear in chronological order.

Learning Log

Learning Log – Now labelled Learning Log for all users of the ePortfolio.
Learning Log – Added a column to the summary page to show when a learning log entry has had a comment added.
Learning Log – Entries no longer locked after marked as read – trainees can amend these.
Learning Log – Assessor comments will be tagged to indicate the user that has made them.
Learning Log – Send to PDP no longer requires the entry to be marked as read for this option to be active.
Learning Log – Validate against Competence wording changed to Validate Evidence. Mouse over text changed to better explain function. More information on this can be found below.
Learning Log – Validate Evidence screen no longer has erroneous options at the bottom of the screen.
CPR achieved – no longer can flag be triggered from the learning log. Educational Supervisors must mark this as complete as part of the Final Review. Trainees will still need to have a learning log entry present for this.
Fixed a bug where the "List all Entries" button would not work correctly in Firefox.

Downloads

Trainee’s Download – Added a section for Trainees to easily produce parts of their ePortfolios in PDF format.
Trainer’s Download – Added a section for Trainers and Supervisors to be able to produce parts of their Trainees ePortfolio in PDF format for their own assessment.

Other Changes

Educators' Notes - A new page has been added to allow Administrators and Supervisors to add additional notes to a Trainee’s ePortfolio. All comments are able to be viewed by trainees.
Additional Trainers/Clinical Supervisors – Now able to assign up to 5 Trainers/Clinical Supervisors to a post.
Post Editing – Altered how Trainers and Supervisors are changed in posts.
Ticket Codes – The characters 1, i, I, l, L, o, O, 0 will no longer be generated when creating ticket codes. Ticket codes are no longer case sensitive.
Ticket Codes - The PSQ ticket code will stay the same for 6 weeks and and a different code will no longer be generated each time this option is selected.
Evidence – Free form text boxes have been added to the CBD and COT assessment forms.
Trainer view – The evidence appearing on the Trainee summary screen under the Trainer view will no longer display no assessments completed.
Improved the login page layout under Firefox
Several drop down menus for Administrators should now appeal in alphabetical order
There is now a Posts menu item for all users to easily see Trainee Posts
All post listing should be in chronological order now
Remember Last Login - For users with multiple roles, the system will remember you last role when you log back in.
Messaging System - It is now possible to send messages directly from the Address Book
Reporting - Additional Reports have been added for Administrators, based on user feedback and requests

Validate Change for Educational Supervisors and Trainees

The Validate against Competency entry in the learning log entry section of the e-portfolio has been revised and reworded. It is now called Validate Evidence. The reason for this is that there has been some confusion as to the purpose and implications of validation.

It was always intended that supervisors validating a log entry are not making an assessment of competence in that area. Instead, they are confirming that the evidence presented is of good enough quality for others to use in assessing performance, i.e. that the evidence relates to the chosen competency area and shows meaningful reflection.

We would not wish to be prescriptive about the nature of the Trainee’s entry but a useful guide is to ensure that entries identify learning points rather than just present a descriptive account of events or clinical encounters.

Learning points do not always need to be developmental. For example if a case managed well is described and the reflection highlights the strengths of management, with learning points that a similar case should be managed the same way, this is acceptable.

Documentation

ePortfolio Trainees Guide - Updated for Version 4.0

ePortfolio Supervisors Guide - Updated for Version 4.0

ePortfolio Administrators Guide - Updated for Version 4.0

ePortfolio - What's Changed for Educational Supervisors and Trainers

ePortfolio - What's Changed for Trainees

ePortfolio Review Update for Administrators

ePortfolio Review Update for Educational Supervisors and Trainers

ePortfolio Review Update for Trainees

Educators Notes explained for Trainees