Note: This article was originally published in the Spring 2023 edition of our On Call newsletter and has not been updated.
What is the purpose of the new professional development portfolio?
The professional development portfolio is designed to meet the learning needs of each midwife and to provide an opportunity to reflect on your practice and how it is meeting the needs of your clients and your goals as a professional. That is why the Learning Plan template asks you to determine your own learning needs, define your goals, and to reflect on what you learned. Case reviews (previously called peer reviews or peer case reviews) have also changed in that they ask you to reflect on your learning rather than asking for the specifics of who attended.
Do I have to meet one learning goal per year?
No. Midwives are required to create and meet three learning goals over the three-year reporting period which allows you to have short-term goals and long-term goals. Learning goals might be longer term if a workshop is being held on a date months or a year away, if you’re participating in a program with a set completion day, or simply if you think your learning would benefit from the extra time. You are able to decide whether your three goals are short-term, long-term, or a mix.
Can I change my learning goals throughout the reporting cycle?
Yes. You are required to create and meet three learning goals over the three-year reporting period but these goals can be flexible. If your learning needs change, for example you move practices and your new client base has different needs, you may decide to revise your learning goals. The aim of the professional development portfolio is to identify what your learning needs are and address them.
How do I report on the portfolio?
You will submit your declaration through the Registrants Portal which will open to registrants close to the reporting deadline in October 2024. In the meantime, midwives can download copies of the learning plan and the case reviews from the website.
Why do registrants in the inactive class have to participate in the Professional Development Portfolio?
The General Regulation requires that midwives in the inactive class must participate in quality assurance programs. As the professional development portfolio is meant to meet the individual learning needs of each midwife, a midwife who has been in the inactive class for an extended period and no longer provides clinical care, or who has retired from practice is likely to have learning goals that are very different than a general registrant. Inactive registrants do not need to submit case reviews.
Where do I find the forms to complete?
The forms for the Learning Plan and the Case Reviews can be found on our website. You can download a copy and complete them. They are in fillable PDF.