Learning domains: personal development

Independent learning

• The learner engages in a personal development plan. This includes identifying learning needs, identifying and using learning resources. The learner then reflects on and actions their learning in practice.

In healthcare, there is an ongoing need to learn and develop. It is also essential that, as learners and physiotherapists, we are aware of our own learning needs – such as the gaps in our knowledge. This is linked to the ability to work safely and within our scope of practice.

This domain is designed to prepare the learner to develop their skills to fulfil the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of continuing professional development. It is important that we can demonstrate lifelong learning and the impact this has on our practice, as well as our services.

We all learn in different ways, so we recommend practice educators and learners have a conversation early in the placement to discuss this and set expectations for demonstrating learning. 

Seeking, reflecting on and responding to feedback

• The learner seeks and reflects on feedback received. They then modify their personal and professional behaviour in response to the feedback.

Feedback is an important part of learning, and constructive feedback should inspire a change (or continuation!) of a behaviour. It is important for the learner to be aware of what they are doing well and areas for development, and try to improve where needed. 

Although the practice educator is a key source of feedback, the learner should also consider feedback from the wider team (such as support workers and nurses) and the service user. Feedback from the service user is vital to assure the quality of practice and links to the HCPC Standards of proficiency for physiotherapists (standard 11.2).

Organisation and prioritisation

• The learner prioritises and manages workload in response to a variety of demand. They acknowledge the impact of their actions and decisions.

As healthcare professionals, our work is influenced by many things around us – such as what tasks need doing, the resources available and our own skillset to name a few. While we may want to do everything to an exceptional standard, that is not always possible; therefore, we need to be able to prioritise our workload. 

This might mean:

• Determining the most important thing to do and why. Is a patient due to be discharged? Is someone acutely unwell? 
• Thinking about how much time there is. Are there any deadlines? How much time is left for the day?
• What staff are available. Who has what skills? What tasks are they doing already?
• What resources are available. Do we have access to a specific piece of equipment? 

This decision-making informs professional judgement and reasoning and is a skill developed throughout training and beyond. The CSP Physiotherapy career framework (page 18) outlines expectations regarding this.

Every decision we make will have a consequence, whether good, bad or indifferent. Taking responsibility and justifying our decisions and actions is part of being an autonomous practitioner. We should take responsibility in quite a few ways – look at the CSP Code of Members' Professional Values and Behaviour.