Eportfolio ideas

Need eportfolio ideas?


Competence area Need inspiration? Example (in short) from our self-rating summaries from our eportfolios. Each starts with

“In example (date) …”



Communication & consultation skills When did exploring social circumstances, ICE & the impact of a patient’s problem help to

1.      Negotiate with a patient?

2.      Provide empathy?

3.      Support the patient?

Did taking the time to learn about the patient change your management?

Can you describe a time when you gave a clear explanation of a condition, management plan or medication. What informed decisions did the patient make?

When have you used advanced communication skills or altered the style of your consultation to help the patient understand the problem or the management plan?

Understanding the patient’s social circumstances, thoughts and fears helped me to connect with the patient. Negotiation of the management plan was required and we were able to reach an agreement.

I explained the risks of the drugs and explored the man’s wishes. I supported him when he made an informed decision to choose quality of life (accepting the risks of the medication).

I used non-jargon language, slowed down my explanation (of a smear) and showed the equipment, to gain informed consent from the 25 year old girl with learning disabilities.

Practising holistically When has enquiring about the social history and what is important to the person changed your management?

What are the limitations in the GP day that may prevent providing holistic care and how can you overcome this?

When has involving other MDT members provided holistic care?

I explored the patient’s social, cultural, religious and financial background and together we discussed a management plan that met her wishes and needs.

Our group discussed the factors that may prevent the doctor’s ability to provide holistic care. We discussed how we can avoid the hurdles of the day that may impact on the quality of care provided.

Understanding the patient’s and daughter’s day to day challenges allowed me to involve other MDT professionals to meet their needs.


Working with colleagues and in teams When have you liaised with/responded to the request of a colleague who

–        is another GP?

–        is in the reception/admin team?

–        s another MDT specialist?

–        is a hospital specialist?

–        is in the voluntary sector?

For either acute or chronic care. What specifically about working/communicating together led to better patient care?

Reflect on a time that you have changed your understanding of the care provided by another person/professional and how this has impacted on patient care. When have you liaised with specialists due to recognising your limitations?

Liaising with the urgent care service, the pharmacist and the out of hours team ensured this patient received the medications and care they required and in the event of deterioration the out of hours team were aware of the plan.

Through experience in the clinic with the specialists, I had the opportunity to discuss what “work up” can be helpful to both the patient and specialist prior to the patient’s arrival at the clinic.



Data gathering and interpretation When have you considered the wider differential diagnosis?

Can you reflect on a patient whose investigations took a step by step approach?

Has taking a detailed bio/psycho/social history enabled you to discover a diagnosis which could have been missed?

Have you searched for information to help you reach a diagnosis?

With a history of breast cancer, I investigated the lady’s rib pain to rule out bone metastases. The diagnosis of bone metastases was confirmed by CT.

After little response to the treatment for IBS, I considered chronic pancreatitis and arranged an USS.

I spent time reading the “old notes” of a new elderly patient with many current problems. I planned the next consultation and further tests required.

Making a diagnosis/decisions Describe a time you have

–        gone against guidance.

–        dealt with uncertainty.

–        included/not included the patient in the decision making process. Explain your thought processes when you decided

–        to give reassurance to a patient.

–        to refer to the specialist.

Describe a time you created a care plan and it led to better patient care.



I discussed with my supervisor in a CBD why I felt that investigating a patient further was not required and not in their best interests.

In our group we discussed feelings about holding risk when managing uncertainty.

We discussed the patient’s wishes for end of life care and together agreed a care plan. When the patient required out of hours help, the OOH team were fully informed of the patient’s wishes.

Clinical management What is your experience of a duty doctor session?


When have you taken a watch and wait approach? Why and how did it feel to both you and patient?

When has continuity of care impacted on a patient?

When has a patient suffered due to lack of continuity of care?

Whilst duty doctor I learned to involve/ask for the help from other team members to ensure patient safety during a busy day.

I monitored a lady with postnatal depression closely, involving the psychiatric team when psychotic symptoms presented.

Due to building a very good rapport with the patient, they then disclosed domestic violence and I was able to offer ongoing advice and support, specifically …

Managing medical complexity When have you managed

–        both acute and chronic problems simultaneously?

–        Managed the biological, social and psychological needs of a patient?

–        The risk that drug interactions could potentially pose?

–        A patient’s needs when they continued to be concerned about a problem for which investigations had been reassuring?

–        Multi morbidity?

We discussed the possibilities for management, taking into account drug interactions, side effects and co-morbidities.

I reflected on strategies for dealing with uncertainty.

I monitored a patient carefully who required frequent adjustments for his heart failure and renal failure.



Organisation, management and leadership How can you demonstrate good note keeping? What is good record keeping?


What systems work well in your practice? What systems could you/have you changed?

I reflected on the patient summary page and changes I made to the problem and medication list to make consulting safer. Tidying up the page ensured the history of breast cancer was clear.

I demonstrate my interest in learning more about the tools available on the IT system.

I had a meeting with the practice manager where I learned …

Community orientation Have you liaised with the prescribing lead?

When have you discussed the wider MDT/voluntary resources available to a patient?

Have you attended any locality meetings? (If not ask to do so.)

I reflected on how I keep up to date with the latest costs of prescriptions and local prescribing guidance.

I researched the voluntary services which were available to child carer’s.

I learned about healthcare delivery in our local area when I attended the locality meeting. Specifically I learned …

Maintaining performance, learning and teaching Have you facilitated/lead any medical student/other teaching?

When have you recognised your knowledge gaps and what did you do?

Have you read any recent studies?

I reflected on the feedback received from my seminar to the medical students.

I completed online learning  modules in … and this has led to a change in how I practice, for example …



Maintaining an ethical approach How did you approach an ethical dilemma?

How do you ensure all patients have the same respect and care?

We reflected on how ethical dilemmas cause anxiety and why this was the case.

In our group we reflected on how some patient’s may request more of the professional’s time and how to ensure all patients receive care to meet their needs

Fitness to practise What boundaries protect you from work impacting on your own health?

Have you had to break confidentiality to protect others?

Have you had to contact the DVLA or safeguarding services?



I discussed how I use “housekeeping” to protect my personal time as well as being ready for whatever the next patient brings.

I reflected how having to break confidentiality and contact the DVLA had been stressful and how I would approach a similar situation again.