How to build your portfolio as a clinical fellow

Why do portfolios matter?

A portfolio is a record of your professional growth as a doctor. It's useful when applying for training posts or jobs to showcase the required attributes and skills.

The GMC expects doctors to participate in annual appraisal as part of their revalidation, where they'll reflect on and discuss various types of supporting information to show they're continuing to meet the principles set out in the GMC's core guidance, 'Good medical practice' (2024). A strong portfolio can help set you apart.

There is no 'one size fits all' approach to building your portfolio, but it's important to include a diverse set of activities and projects to show a wide range of skills and experience.

For core or specialty training applications, check the scoring matrix for the current year once it's available to target each section and understand the requirements. Knowing what evidence is needed and its format early on will make it easier to prepare in time for the application cycle.

Eight ways to boost your portfolio

1. Quality improvement projects

Quality improvement is focused on reviewing and evaluating the quality of work you and your colleagues provide to patients, to identify what is working well and any areas where things could be done differently.

You must take part in a quality improvement activity within each revalidation cycle, and it also helps to demonstrate that you're committed to improving patient care and promoting patient safety in line with GMC expectations.

A clinical audit is a common way to demonstrate this. This usually involves comparing an aspect of practice in your department with an established local or national standard/guideline and then considering how this could be improved. You might then implement the change you hope will improve adherence for a period, and then re-audit practice against the same standard.

2. Continuing professional development (CPD)

CPD is any learning outside of your training that helps you improve patient care and maintains high standards in your teams and services.

CPD can take many forms, such as attending lectures or webinars run by relevant royal colleges or trainee organisations. Informal learning opportunities also count, like reading an interesting article and discussing with your supervisor.

It's important to reflect on what you've learnt from your CPD activities and record the impact it's had, or is expected to have, on your performance and practice.

3. Research and presentations

A clinical fellow role can be a great for getting involved in research projects because you're likely to be in the same department for longer, and some roles will have protected time for research.

A research project can help you gain experience to a specific sub-specialty you're interested in, and many training programmes award points for publications and presentations as well as for prizes awarded. It'll also demonstrate your organisational and data-handling skills.

4. Leadership roles

Leadership skills are an essential attribute of any senior medic. There are several local, regional and national roles within royal colleges and trainee organisations that can also demonstrate your commitment to a specialty.

However, keep in mind that you can also show your leadership skills through non-clinical roles like being on the mess committee, volunteering with a local organisation or getting involved in education and training.

5. Coordinating meetings

Most departments will hold clinical case review meetings such as morbidity and mortality meetings, multi-disciplinary case reviews or radiology reviews. You might be able to take on the role of compiling and/presenting the cases at these meetings. This shows organisational and leaderships skills, as well as evidence of participation in systems to maintain patient safety.

6. Qualifications

A clinical fellow role can provide a good opportunity to pursue a relevant qualification alongside your clinical work. Some roles may even offer funding for these qualifications, so it's worth looking into this when you start.

Some qualifications like advanced trauma life support will help to develop your clinical skills (and may be required for future jobs) - while others, like a postgraduate certificate in medical education, can be useful to develop skills more widely.

7. Exams

If you already know what specialty you want to work in, it may be worth considering whether to sit the first part(s) of the required professional exams. This demonstrates commitment to your specialty as well as clinical knowledge.

8. Logbooks

Keep a record of procedures and operations you perform or assist with to demonstrate your experience. Some specialty applications might require proof of completing a certain number of procedures, and if you move to another role, this record can show your new supervisor the extent of your experience.

Top tips to find opportunities

• Interact with as many people around you as possible.
• Stay open-minded and stay curious about what interests you - it could lead to unexpected opportunities.
• Look for colleagues who inspire you and can offer valuable advice.
• The more experience you gain, the better you'll be able to define your interests/goals.
• Prepare a personal development plan with your educational supervisor if you've been appointed one, or another senior colleague. This can help identify your learning and development needs, meaning you can plan your activities for the year ahead.

This page was correct at publication on 18/07/2024. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.