Conducting a Self-Assessment of Learning Needs and Developing a Learning Plan
One of the biggest challenges of the CPD process is conducting a meaningful learning needs assessment.
The first step is to ask yourself three questions:
- What are some issues and challenges I face in my practice?
- What are areas of my professional knowledge/skills do I feel are weaker than I would like them to be?
- What new areas of practice would I like to undertake?
Then, ask yourself:
What do I need to know to be able to address the issue/challenge, fill the knowledge/skill gap and/or obtain the competencies to undertake the new area of practice.
Using the answers to these two sets of questions, you can write your learning objectives and develop a learning plan.
Some resources to assist in this process can be found at the following links:
How to Assess Your Learning Needs, Kieran Walsh, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
Learning Needs Assessment, Assessing the Need, Janet Grant, British Medical Journal