Enhancing reflective professional practice through the use of an ePortfolio

A UK case study

Abstract

The professional bodies, in subjects allied to medicine, have always required evidence of continuous professional development in order for members to maintain registration. Although the manner in which these submissions are required by different bodies varies in most instances these have been paper based. This paper provides a brief background to the development and use of eportfolios in Universities in the UK and then examines the reasons behind the decision to adopt an electronic portfolio during undergraduate degree programmes in Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences. The paper goes on to discuss the way the electronic portfolio is being used to support the development of reflective and professional practice on these programmes. It reports feedback from staff and students during the pilot phase before discussing the current developments that are taking place with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the Institute of Biomedical Science to use electronic submission in order for members to demonstrate professional competence through evidenced continuous professional practice.