A new report evaluating the use of an e-portfolio in nursing and midwifery education has been completed by the Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, RCSI. The project was funded by the National Council for the Professional Development of Nursing & Midwifery (NCNM) and the final report was handed over to Dr Yvonne O'Shea, Chief Executive of NCMN by Professor Seamus Cowman Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, RCSI.

The aim of the research project was to assess the feasibility of, and potential for, the development and use of an e-portfolio in nursing and midwifery against a background of technology in education and the requirement for life-long learning in health professions.

Professor Seamus Cowman, Head of Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, said: "In a climate of increased accountability and litigation, professionals are required to maintain their ongoing professional development and the use of an e-portfolio provides and effective and efficient means by which individual professionals can demonstrate their patterns of continuing education. The results of this study showed that nurses and midwives embraced the use of an e-portfolio."

Dr Yvonne O'Shea, Chief Executive Officer for NCNM, commented: "The changing context of clinical care requires professionals to continuously develop their skills and competencies to support high-quality responsive care. An e-portfolio supports such competency planning for individual nurses and midwives."