About us | Recruitment | News & events | Contact us

NHS Education for Scotland Logo

Scotland Deanery

Home of medical and dental excellence

Trainee information

Non-Core Learning

Non-core learning can count towards the total of 60 hours required but only up to a maximum of 30 hours of non-core learning must be evidenced in Turas Portfolio prior to the ARCP deadline.

There are many things that can be used to evidence non-core learning. However, these must be easily and sensibly quantifiable in terms of both the educational content and the time claimed for the non-core learning.

There are 3 main types of learning:

  1. Experiential learning: This is learning from being in the working environment. This is where you can demonstrate to your supervisors and others that the cognitive phase of learning is turned into the fixative phase of learning- i.e. DOES. This type of knowledge and learning is demonstrated by SLEs, attending ward rounds, clinics etc. It is part of everyday working activity and should not count towards non-core learning. Tasters are included in experiential learning.
  2. Delivered learning: This includes teaching sessions and courses and should count towards the additional hours. We are aiming to have a wide range of learning counted. A relevant full day course being used for non-core learning will count for a maximum of 5 hours. This is in line with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) point used by non-training grades to evidence learning for appraisal. Only one day can be counted per training year.
  3. Self-directed learning: This is learning that you decide to embark on and may take the form of online and e-learning. This can be included if the required MCQ assessments are completed.

Non-core learning should include a variety of different methods of learning and different topics. Each non-core learning event should be logged separately with a short piece written about what was learned. It will not be acceptable, for example, to log several hours of non-core learning and comment that several departmental meetings were attended during the post.

Foundation Programme Directors (FPDs) have discretion over what logged evidence they feel is appropriate. If you are unsure, please discuss with your FPD.

 

Infection Prevention and Control/ HAI Learning Resources

Access to all Infection Prevention and Control / HAI learning resources are available on Turas Learn and please also see the Infection Prevention and Control webpages for more information.

 

Learning in Foundation (LIFT)

These Scottish e-learning Learning in Foundation Training modules can be accessed through your Turas Portfolio.

One of the key requirements for foundation doctors is to obtain a satisfactory ARCP and be allowed to progress 100% coverage of the curriculum. This can be achieved a number of ways including attendance at the local teaching programme. 

Please see also LearnPro and e-Learning for Health

Provision of LiFT modules - The Foundation School is aware there are many e-learning modules available not just in medicine and cover a wide variety of issues, many of which may be very relevant to the foundation doctors.  If you, or your organisation, would like to provide an e-learning module for the foundation doctors to access, please email sfas@nes.scot.nhs.uk outlining the module. This will then be discussed for inclusion into LiFT.

 

FAQs on Non-core Learning

The below is a list of things that can and cannot be used for non-core learning. This has been compiled from trainee queries. In general, activities that are part of your normal working day cannot be counted as these are experiential learning that can be evidenced by other means such as SLEs and core procedures. Teaching others should be recorded as a DCT.

The below can be used to evidence non-core learning:

  • Departmental teaching eg seminar/tutorial/small teaching/audit meetings
  • Journal clubs
  • Morbidity and mortality meeting
  • Grand rounds
  • Hospital-wide lectures
  • Specialty/core teaching
  • Orthopaedic trauma meetings (departmental teaching)
  • Informal teaching by registrars
  • Immersive simulation - if not being used to evidence the mandatory core 30 hours
  • Departmental simulation
  • Tutorials
  • Evening lectures
  • E-learning/online courses
  • Delivered Educational Programme attendance beyond requirement
  • Balint groups
  • Schwartz rounds
  • Case conferences

The below cannot be used to evidence non-core learning:

  • Clinics/Supervised clinics
  • Theatre
  • Ward rounds
  • Microbiology rounds
  • Bedside teaching
  • MDT meetings - integral part of job that is part of experiential learning
  • Observing on ward
  • Observing other health care professionals
  • Teaching e.g. medical student
  • Hospital mandatory learning (statutory and mandatory training as required by your employer)
  • Induction sessions
  • Meeting with supervisor
  • Reflective practice sessions
  • Performing minor operations
  • Post mortems
  • Death certificate discussions with Medical Officer
  • Handover
  • Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA)
  • ILS/ALS/equivalent
  • Completion of SLEs
  • IMG Induction and/or Orientation session
  • Specialised Foundation Programme teaching
  • Mental state exams with supervision
  • Reading books/journals - unless CPD type articles with accompanying MCQs completed
  • Exam preparations - not Foundation relevant
  • Essay competitions
  • Peer teaching by other Foundation doctors - unless as part of a tutorial led by a senior trainee/consultant
  • IT training
  • Tasters
  • Teaching the clinical teacher
  • CV skills sessions
  • Meetings about working rights/trade union type meetings
  • BMA meetings - unless educational meetings
  • Additional degrees/online degrees - the purpose of these is the qualification gained (university/higher education courses)
  • Other regular on the job activities 
  • External study leave e.g. conferences or similar 


This page was last updated on: 28.02.2024 at 17.23

Top