Implementing and evaluating an e-portfolio for postgraduate family medicine training in the Western Cape, South Africa
Date
2019-07-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC (part of Springer Nature)
Abstract
Background: In South Africa it is compulsory to submit a satisfactory portfolio of learning to gain entrance to the
national exit examination of the College of Family Physicians and to qualify as a family physician. A paper-based
portfolio has been implemented thus far and the need for an electronic portfolio (e-portfolio) was identified. The
aim of the study was to describe and evaluate the implementation of an e-portfolio for the training of family
medicine registrars in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
Methods: Mixed methods were used. A quasi-experimental study evaluated paper- and e-portfolios from the same
28 registrars in 2015 compared to 2016. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 registrars or
supervisors to explore their experiences of using the e-portfolio. Quantitative data was analysed in the Statistical
Package for Social Sciences and qualitative data in Atlas.ti.
Results: Most respondents found the e-portfolio easier to use and more accessible. It made progress easier to
monitor and provided sufficient evidence of learning. Feedback was made easier and more explicit. There were
concerns regarding face-to-face feedback being negatively affected. It was suggested to have a feedback template
to further improve feedback. Several aspects were significantly better in the e-portfolio such as feedback on the
registrar’s general behaviour, alignment with learning outcomes, less feedback based on hearsay and
acknowledgement of the feedback by the registrar. Although not statistically significant, there was an increase in
the usage of the e-portfolio, compared to the paper portfolio.
Conclusion: In general, the e-portfolio is an improvement on the paper-based portfolio. It is easier to access, more
user-friendly and less cumbersome. It makes feedback and monitoring of progress and development of registrars
easier and more visible and provides sufficient evidence of learning. Its implementation throughout South Africa is
recommended.
Description
CITATION: De Swardt, M., et al. 2019. Implementing and evaluating an e-portfolio for postgraduate family medicine training in the Western Cape, South Africa. BMC Medical Education, 9:251, doi:10.1186/s12909-019-1692-x.
The original publication is available at https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com
The original publication is available at https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com
Keywords
Electronic portfolios in education, Family medicine, Family medicine -- Study and teaching, Graduate students
Citation
De Swardt, M., et al. 2019. Implementing and evaluating an e-portfolio for postgraduate family medicine training in the Western Cape, South Africa. BMC Medical Education, 9:251, doi:10.1186/s12909-019-1692-x