This post has been written as a quick guide to identifying learning needs and writing learning outcomes.

To set a learning outcome you first need to identify learning needs.  A learning need is something that you think you should or would like to learn.

You can identify your learning needs from a needs assessment which might incorporate:

• Self assessment
• Critical incident analysis
• Peer review
• Appraisals
• Development review

 You might also consider:

• Personal development goals
• Maintenance of competence
• Gaps in skills or knowledge
• Improving the quality of your practice
• Benefiting your service and service user.

 Learning needs should then be clearly defined in terms of expected learning outcomes.  Be specific, for example “I would like to be able to analyse / identify / manage / reflect……..”

Actual learning outcomes following a learning experience may be different from the learning outcome initially set.  So consider what your actual learning outcome is and be specific in your recording.  “I am now able to analyse / identify / manage / reflect……..”

Now record these in your portfolio! 

 

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We would also like to use this space to express and discuss any development ideas that you have for Physiospot, your views are gratefully welcomed.

To join this community:

1. Search for 'physiospot authors' in the search box (in the top right corner of this page) or use the browse facility (also in the top right corner of this page) to find it
2. Click on the link to the Physiospot Authors community 
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Have you got a question in relation to using this system? Maybe something isn't quite working right for you? Maybe you want to try something new? Ask your questions in this space!

Can you answer these questions? Got some great hints and tips that will enhance other users experience of using this system? Post them here!

This community is a place for MyCPDspot users to ask questions and to share hints and tips related to using the system.

To join this community:

1. Search for 'hints & tips' in the search box in the top right corner of this page or use the browse facility to find it
2. Click on the link to 'hints & tips'
3. Click on the 'join this community link' (which is under the question mark icon)

 

Have you got a question in relation to using this system?  Maybe something isn't quite working right for you?  Maybe you want to try something new?  Ask your questions in this space!

Can you answer these questions?  Got some great hints and tips that will enhance other users experience of using this system?  Post them here!

This community is a place for MyCPDspot users to ask questions and to share hints and tips related to using the system.

To join this community:

1. Search for 'hints & tips' in the search box in the top right corner of this page or use the browse facility to find it
2. Click on the link to 'hints & tips'
3. Click on the 'join this community link' (which is under the question mark icon)
   

This post has been written to assist you in recording your CPD learning experiences.  You do not have to follow this example but you may like to use it as a guide to get you thinking about the kind of things that are useful to record in your portfolio posts following any CPD activity.

 Firstly, summarise the experience details.

• What was the experience?
  
• Where did it happen?
  
• Who else was involved?
  
• How long did it take? 

Then, document your reflectons on the experience. Here is a list of things to consider in your reflections:

• reflect on the actual learning experience
• what was the learning outcome
• reflect on the application of this learning into practice
• how has it contribute to your personal goals
• how is it relevant to your current or future practice
• how has it improved the quality of your practice
• how has it contributed to the maitenance of you competence
• how has it benefitted your service and service user 

Next, record the actual learning outcome. 

• I am now able to ........ 

Then, you might want to link this learning outcome to individual, user and organisational needs. For example you might want to consider:

• Personal development plan
  
• Professional standards of practice
• Codes of conduct
  
• Your development review
• National or service competencies
  

It is a really good idea to try to link your learning experience to research to demonstrate development of your evidence based practice. 

• Try to find recent research evidence that supports your learning experience, learning outcome and/or reflections in a way that provide an evidence base for the development of your practice as a reault of this particular learning experience.
  

Finally, record any other learning needs that have been identified from this experience. 

• I would like to be able to......
• ... and add this to your CPD plan.
  

If you don't have time to record all of this in detail, any small part of it is much better than none at all! 

I diagnosed a client today with patella tendinopathy. I have developed a management plan for them which incoporates SSTM, patella mobilisations, self management with heat/ice and quadricepss lengthening, and I have started them on an eccentric rehab program. This has been my approach to tendinopathy management for a while now and I just wonder what the evidence base for the eccentric program is and what everyone's thoughts are on this?

One of my clients today has a history of emergency surgery for an anterior prolapse of a hte L4/5 disc. At the time he experienced sudden onset of back pain with bending resulting in a fixed flexion posture. He presented today with a reoccurence of his lumbar back pain following hedge trimming but no postural deformity this time. I am concerned that this may be a reoccurence of his anterior disc problem at a L3/4. Does anyone have any previous experience of this condition?