You will be introduced to the key concepts of personal and professional development (PPD) to support your development and skills in reflective practice through introductory lectures, and PPD group learning sessions. All students will have group sessions each semester, which will be facilitated by specialist PPD group tutors. These sessions provide an opportunity for you to discuss learning experiences openly with your peers, share examples of best practice and learn how to apply the process of reflection to enhance your development as a medical student and future doctor. There will also be additional workshops and events available throughout the year to help your understanding of professionalism.
What do I put in my portfolio to demonstrate my personal and professional development?
Sections of your PPD portfolio correspond to the GMC’s Good Medical Practice, and GMC’s Outcomes for Graduates. Detailed guidance for maintaining your PPD Portfolio is available on 1Med Learn PPD pages and the In-Context Guidance pages within your electronic PPD portfolio. You will be introduced to your PPD portfolio and provided with a list of intended learning outcomes (ILOs) at the beginning of the year accompanied by clear guidance of the type of evidence for each learning outcome you are expected to enter into your PPD portfolio.
It is of the utmost importance that all entries in your PPD portfolios are completed honestly and with integrity and are based on your own learning experiences. Students must not plagiarise or fabricate material. All students will therefore be required to complete a ‘Declaration of Probity’ at the beginning of Year 1 and each subsequent academic year of the programme. Whilst there is no formal assessment of your PPD portfolio at the end of the academic year, you are still expected to address all of the ILOs.
Academic Advisors
In addition to group sessions, you will be allocated a tutor to support you in your professional and personal development – this tutor is known as an ‘Academic Advisor’. All Academic Advisors are allocated students from the beginning of Year 1. Your Advisor will guide your development as an independent, reflective learner, responding to feedback, learning from encounters with patients and teaching and learning across the wider medical programme. Advisors will also support you with the maintenance of your PPD portfolio, give you feedback on reflective entries and help develop your ability to plan ahead. For this reason, you will have the same Academic Advisor throughout Years 1 and 2.
Engagement in this process is an important part of your personal and professional development. If you fully engage with your Academic Advisor you will have a mentor who will:
- Support your progression, academic success and future plans;
- help you to feel like you belong and are valued regardless of your background, personal strengths and limitations.
- Know who to contact if you have concerns or experience any difficulties either personally or academically.
- Work to enhance your academic and personal self-efficacy.
- Help you to grow in confidence and develop skills for lifelong professional relationships.
Meetings with Advisors
You will meet your Academic Advisor individually once or twice during each semester. Meetings with your Advisor are mandatory and will focus on specific learning outcomes and qualities essential to being a future doctor as well as your own personal development. Throughout the academic year, your Academic Advisor will record your attendance at meetings and submit forms summarising your progress and plans discussed.
Failure to attend these meetings or lack of engagement with your PPD portfolio will lead to a referral to the Academic Lead for PPD Years 1 & 2 to provide extra support or a further referral as required. If there are serious concerns this may lead to referral to the Associate Programme Director for Professionalism or the Concerns Review Panel. Please see PPD Processes for Student Absences Years 1-2.