Learning
Programme

Lifelong learning

Since the early 1990s there has been a steady increase in the number of policy documents stressing the need for continuing professional development (CPD) in order for the workforce to be prepared for changing health care practices and treatments. Without having such a prepared workforce the standard and quality of care provided to patients/clients would not progress.

Professional bodies view lifelong learning as fundamental for continued registration as much of what is learnt during initial education or training quickly becomes out of date.

Learning which does not advance each day will daily decrease.
(Chinese proverb)

According to Wallace (1999) there are four benefits of lifelong learning:

Better care planning.
Informal exchange of ideas between practitioners.
Greater assertiveness and autonomy.
Staff becoming more competent and accountable.

So lifelong learning is fundamental to your progress as a practitioner, and is a habit which you must build in from the earliest days of your career. Agenda for Change (2004) has made explicit the need for lifelong learning for all staff through the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework.

Activities:

What kind of learner are you?

You may have already done some self-assessment as a student to determine what type of learner you are. This website introduces you to the basics of Honey & Mumfords learning styles - so why not have look and see what type of learning suits you best

http://www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk/cfl/yourlearning/whatlearner.asp

Approximate time to complete: 30 minutes

Your learning environment

It is important that you identify early in your new post what opportunities and arrangements (for example, a local protected learning time policy) exist locally to support your learning, in additional to the Flying Start England programme. Identify both the uni-professional and multi-professional opportunities for lifelong learning within your place of work/ for example, NHS library, e-Library, Learning Centres.

Approximate time to complete: 45 minutes

Clarifying learning Needs

What do I want to learn?

Before any training or development activity, it is important to establish what your learning objectives are. If you have a clear idea of what you hope to achieve, then you will be more likely to be able to achieve it. Discuss with your preceptor what you want to learn and why you want to learn it so you are both clear what is trying to be achieved.

Are you unsure what your natural learning style is? Complete this exercise and match your learning style with one of Honey and Mumford’s four distinct styles. With a clear understanding of your preferred method, you can best gauge what training and development methods will be the most effective for you. It may be useful for your prector to share their preferred personal learning style with you, and discuss the differences in how you learn.

http://peterhoney.com/content/learningstylesquestionnaire.html

Approximate time to complete: 30 minutes

Benefits of lifelong learning

Make a list of the benefits of lifelong learning for:
a) you as an individual
b) the team you work in
c) patients, clients and their families

Add this list to your portfolio and review it regularly as you progress through Flying Start England – note if your views change as you develop.

Approximate time to complete: 40 minutes

Your NHS KSF Post outline

Now you have looked at both the benefits and the resources for lifelong learning in your area, agree with your mentor or KSF reviewer the priorities for your learning for the next 3 months and record this in your Personal Development Plan. Revisit this activity every three months, and update your PDP.

Approximate time to complete: 30 minutes