"The new e-portfolio will be a key resource for employers to help them support the professional development of the newest cohort of veterinary professionals." - Dr Linda Prescott-Clements.

All VetGDP progress will now be recorded and monitored on the platform.
 

Yesterday (14 September), the RCVS launched its Veterinary Graduate Development Programme (VetGDP) e-portfolio platform.

Replacing the Professional Development Phase (PDP), the programme aims to support new graduates in their first veterinary role, with trained in-house VetGDP Advisers who will provide guidance to the graduate. 

The now-launched e-portfolio is now available to be used to record and monitor graduate's progress as they work through the VetGDP programme. 

Functionality of the e-portfolio includes; separate sections for each of the overarching activities carried out by the graduate, an online area to upload documents and record text to capture reflections and feedback, easy-to-view progress for individual cases and tasks across all activities, and the ability to upload photos to record case-specific information.

RCVS director of education, Dr Linda Prescott-Clements, commented on the new programme: “We recognise how important it is to support new veterinary graduates as much as possible during their first job as a fully-qualified veterinary surgeon. 

“The transition from study to work can be a daunting one, and we wanted to create a resource that would help new graduates record and reflect on their journey through the programme and provide a space for the VetGDP Adviser to monitor and support their graduate as they progress.

“We believe the VetGDP programme will have a positive impact on graduates’ development and their confidence during their first role. The new e-portfolio will be a key resource for employers to help them support the professional development of the newest cohort of veterinary professionals.”

Two online workshops are being held by the RCVS to help VetGDP Advisers and graduates learn to use the e-portfolio, one on Friday 17 September, running from 1pm to 2pm, and one on Monday 20 September running from 7pm to 8pm. Further information and booking for these can be found here.

Speaking about the e-portfolio platform, Richard Burley, RCVS chief technology officer, said: “We’ve had excellent feedback about our 1CPD platform which we launched in 2020, and hope that the VetGDP e-portfolio will be just as helpful to veterinary graduates and VetGDP Advisers as they progress through the programme.

“We will be constantly working on and improving the VetGDP e-portfolio, and we are keen to hear the thoughts of graduates and practices using it. We will use any feedback we get to inform future changes or improvements.”

Any graduates who have already completed forms to record their VetGDP activities are encouraged to get in touch with the VetGDP team by emailing vetgdp@rcvs.org.uk, to help transfer data to the e-portfolio.