Learning Needs Assessment

Conducting a learning needs assessment is never straightforward. It is however essential that this is performed properly at the start of the GP trainee’s placement.  There are formal and informal methods of performing a learning needs assessment.  It is helpful to use a combination, as using a number of different tools ensures your assessment is sound. 

Formal Methods

Wolverhampton grid

Manchester rating scale

nPEP – this is a useful resource which is free to all GP Trainees.  It is an MCQ style assessment of the different curriculum areas and gives a numerical score upon completion of the paper.

RCGP curriculum rating – this has been developed by the College.  It is a confidence rating scale, which has in part superseded the Wolverhampton grid and Manchester rating scale – although they still have their place.  The RCGP rating scale allows GP Trainees to rate their level of confidence in different areas of the curriculum.

For the RCGP curriculum self rating scale click on the link below:

http://cms.rcgp.org.uk/gpcurriculum/docs/Condensed%20Curriculum%20Guide%20-%20self-assessment%20scale.xls

Informal Methods

Recording PUNS and DENS

Case Based Discussions (CBDs)

Random Case Analysis (RCA)

Conducting joint surgeries

Videoed consulting assessment