Documenting Learning

CanMEDS Scholar

Documenting Learning

One of the best ways of documenting learning, is to keep a portfolio. Portfolios are becoming more and more common in

medical education. Some residency programs will require residents to keep portfolios to document learning activities. Portfolios are becoming standard in residency education, because there are many different components to resident feedback and assessment.

A portfolio is a collection of work and evidence that learning has taken place. Portfolios can link curriculum and assessment; connecting what is expected and what is done. [2][1] These collections of documents can be individualized and tell a personal story of a resident’s growth through residency. Keeping a portfolio can be valuable for career planning, and can promote reflection.

Portfolios do have a downside. They are work to maintain and can be found demanding. Residency programs that require portfolios for residents may have administrative support available.

Things you might want to include in your portfolio:

Angela Cheung 2011

Assessments of observed skills (e.g. mini CEX)
Procedure log
Completed online CanMEDS modules
Documentation of simulation experience
Research abstracts, articles and presentations
Rounds presentations
Teaching activities (consider starting a teaching portfolio if you are interested in medical education)
Curriculum vitae
Conferences and courses attended
Learning activities - difficult cases and reading log or reflections on difficult cases.

Tips for keeping portfolios:

Add to it and revisit it regularly, without letting long periods of time go by
Ask a mentor for their guidance and opinion
Let it represent who you are, and your particular strengths
Start now!
Be proud of it!

Portfolios are not just for artists or stocks any more!

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