Types of evidence that can be used for achieving competencies

Here are the different types of evidence that you can use for achieving competencies during your training, together with some points to consider for each type of evidence.

Direct Observed Practice (DOP)

Complete DOPs and reference in your written competency.
Do any of the answered questions in the DOP complement the learning for your competency?
The end of each DOP requires “Actions” to be set by your assessor; by carrying out these actions can you show learning for the competency? Can you reference this?
Did you write notes when revising/practising for your DOP? Upload these – remember written notes can be scanned in!

Observed Clinical Evidence (OCE)

Does the competency have an associated OCE?
Can you create a new OCE to suit this competency?
Do the OCE and reference it in your written competency.
Do any of the questions covered in the OCE complement the learning for your competency!

Case Based Discussion (CBD)

Have you undertaken any CBDs which links neatly to this competency?
Can you expand the CBDs to contain all evidence of learning for this competency?
Did the CBDs raise any discussion points that may fit into a competency? Write these up, not only as a learning exercise, but as additional evidence for competencies.

Clinical Experiential Learning (CEL)

CEL can sometimes be overlooked since it isn’t assessed – but it is still compulsory and should be recorded in your Reflective Log. The reflections on CEL can be referenced in competencies.
Similarly with completing assessments, do you have an associated CEL?

Work-based activities

Have you carried out a test on a batch of samples/data or, performed a procedure on a patient? Upload the worklist/analysis/patient history/data read-out.
Have you participated in an audit, risk assessment or written/updated a standard operating procedure; upload with a description of the evidence.
Maybe keep a record in a spreadsheet of all practical work/demonstrations that you participate in. It is an easy way to record what you have and haven’t seen or done and can later be uploaded to your e-portfolio and referred to for competencies. You could use Microsoft Excel, Google sheets or Numbers if you use a Mac.

Using your MSc (and previous taught learning) as evidence

Lecture notes you’ve been provided:
- Can you include scanned in copies with notes?
- Can you condense the lecture notes into bullet points to evidence of learning?
Evidence that you’ve covered the material in exams:
- Perhaps your respective marks?
- Perhaps the question you answered?
Presentations you’ve given as part of your taught course:
- Upload the PowerPoint
- Perhaps your respective marks?
Did you have to attend any workshops as part of you course? Do these relate to any competencies?
- Upload the presentations or scan in any handouts/notes.

Using other sources as evidence

Mandatory training at your Trust
- For example, fire safety, manual handling, infection control
- Most of this should be covered shortly after you join your trust and formal records are usually kept. Get a copy of this and upload to your e-portfolio.
In house training from your department
- Attendance at team meetings
- Attendance at Journal Clubs
- Are you part of a subcommittee e.g. the Quality Team?
- Do you have ‘In house’ competencies you’ve had to do in your role that you could reference again to?
External courses
- Attendance at professional body meetings
- Update events e.g. Events which provide information
Attendance at conferences
- Usually there are one or two conferences that your department will attend anyway, but don’t forget to keep an eye out for any of interest.
Other sources
- Inductions from being inducted when on rotation to new departments
- Involvement with charities
- Your elective