The Foundation Programme Reference Guide - Academy of Medical ...

e. Security standards for Foundation Programmee-portfoliosIntroductionFoundation doctors use e-portfolios to support their learning, collect their assessments andgather other evidence of achievements. Deaneries/foundation schools must take account ofboth the e-portfolio as a whole and the included assessments when making decisions aboutwhether a foundation doctor has met the required standard for successful completion ofF1 or the Foundation Programme. It is essential that the data stored in e-portfolios (and ifapplicable – other assessment systems) is secure and that the content relates to what thefoundation doctor has actually done. All individual e-portfolio users must discharge theirduties as data custodians. The postgraduate deanery and/or the host organisation (where thepostgraduate deanery is hosted by another organisation) will be the data controller.The COPMeD National E-portfolio Management Group has agreed the following securitystandards. These conform with the Cabinet Office Report “Data Handling Procedures inGovernment: Final Report”, June 2008, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the DataProtection Act 1998. Deaneries/foundation schools and e-portfolio providers must ensure theirFoundation Programme e-portfolios conform to these standards.Section 1 – Patient ConfidentialityStandard:The foundation e-portfolio should not contain any data which could identify an individualpatient.Rationale:Patient confidentiality must be respected at all times. The e-portfolio does not form part ofthe patient record. Therefore it must not include any data that would identify an individualpatient.Mandatory requirement:• Providers must display instructions to users not to include patient sensitive information.Any data relating to patients must be anonymised. This includes, but is not restrictedto, data recorded as part of assessments and reflective logs.Section 2 – Trainee confidentiality and access to dataStandards:Levels of access to data must be clearly describedData must only be shared on a need to know basis.Rationale:The Foundation Programme e-portfolio exists to support the learning of foundation doctorsand collate evidence of learning, assessments and other achievements. Those responsible fortraining foundation doctors must be able to monitor progress and access relevant data toassist making a judgment about whether the doctor has met the requirements for satisfactorycompletion.The UK Foundation Programme: Reference Guide 67