An Evaluation of the e-portfolio pilot for pre-registration pharmacists in Wales

In order to register as a pharmacist in the UK, the General Pharmaceutical Council requires pre-registration pharmacist trainees to complete 52 weeks of training, demonstrate competency against a set of performance standards, and pass a national registration exam.

The Wales Centre for Pharmacy Professional Education (WCPPE) is piloting an electronic portfolio (e-portfolio) that is designed to support learning from the pre-registration training programme.

Portfolios are commonly used and well suited to assessing complex elements of educational development within the healthcare profession. However, their value is dependent on the quality and scope of the information and evidence they hold. The Wales Centre for Pharmacy Professional Education (WCPPE) have commissioned a formative evaluation of the e-portfolio pilot in Wales.

The purpose of the study is to provide a formative evaluation of the e-portfolio pilot that is being introduced for use with pre-registration pharmacists. The specific objectives are:

• to explore participants’ views on their experience of using the e-portfolio: does it meet their needs? Is it a good option?
• to identify perceived advantages and disadvantages of this e-portfolio
• to compare findings with a wider review of the benefits and drawbacks of e-portfolio use amongst other healthcare professions
• to suggest areas for further development or improvement.