Surgical portfolios: A systematic scoping review

The need for longitudinal and comprehensive evidenced development of surgical knowledge, skills and attitudes, and the attainment of appropriate competencies have spotlighted portfolio use. Yet variations in structure, content and roles as well as its resource-heavy reputation have limited its impact. The purpose of this study is to map prevailing data on the use of portfolios in postgraduate surgical education to address a lack of e-portfolio use and guide its design and structuring in surgery.

A Systematic Evidenced Based Approach (SEBA) guided systematic scoping review (SSR) (SSR in SEBA) was conducted to map prevailing data. The constructivist ontological approach used allowed for enhanced reflexivity in the analysis and discussion.

13,092 articles were reviewed, 839 full-text articles were evaluated, and 37 articles were included. Concurrent thematic and content analysis revealed similar themes and categories which were the role of portfolios, evaluation of portfolio use, and implementation of e-portfolios.

Lessons from traditional surgical portfolios can be employed to enhance the design, support and utility of e-portfolios and yet maintain as a balanced trainee-led perspective of their progress. Focused on documenting the trainee's competencies, achievements, experiences, feedback, and reflections, a variety of methods are presently used to assess the reliability, validity, educational impact, acceptability and feasibility of surgical portfolios. The use of e-portfolios, in particular, has been adopted due to its accessibility, portability and convenience. Beyond its flexibility in access, repository and content, e-portfolios offer increased user accessibility, better quality interactions and smoother facilitation, clarification, and feedback.

The data in this SSR in SEBA underscores the need for systematic assessment tools to evaluate e-portfolio as well as evaluate the programs as a whole. Further research into training mentors to support e-portfolio use, assess progress and ensure effective oversight of e-portfolios are required.