CPD Log on SOAR

CPD Log on SOAR

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The CPD Log function on SOAR is generic and simple in nature, and is designed to link in with forthcoming appraisals.  Below is a basic guide to help users better understand how the log works and the different fields available.

Use of the SOAR CPD Log is optional. If you already use an electronic log (e.g. College Portfolio systems), leave this section blank and export the log from whatever system you use and upload it as part of your Supporting Information to your appraisal (under Domain 1).  You can also upload logs that are stored on a spreadsheet or Word document.

Access the CPD Log by logging in to SOAR and from the menu on the left, click on Form 3 > Domain 1 > CPD Log.

CPD Log interface

The CPD Log has three key functions:

1. Add CPD entry
2. View / Edit CPD entries (by appraisal submission)
3. Collective Reflection

CPD entries are displayed via the dropdown menu as illustrated above (2). Any items not yet submitted to an appraisal will have the status "Awaiting submission" and can be amended as required.  When submitted, the status will change to "Submitted"; and if the appraisal is then signed off, the CPD entry will become archived to that appraisal.

Only exceptions are if the CPD entry was marked as "on going" under progress, in which case it will kept on the log for next appraisal's submission; or if an entry was unticked in the "Submit to next appraisal" box which excludes the entry from being included in appraisal submissions.

If the dropdown menu shows that you have more than one open appraisal, please contact the helpdesk to confirm the status of your appraisal history.  SOAR was designed to handle one annual appraisal at a time.  We will rectify this issue to avoid any confusion with your submissions.

You can add your reflections / learning on to individual CPD entries as you add them, or you can do a group / collective reflection in the comment boxes as illustrated above (3). The collective reflection is also associated with each appraisal submission (so will change according to the appraisal period selected in the dropdown menu in 2).

Add a new CPD entry:

1. The CPD Log can be accessed either by clicking "View CPD Log" on the Dashboard page, or through the draft Form 3, Domain 1, from the menu on the left
   
   
2. Once in the CPD Log tab, click on "Add a new CPD entry" button ear the top of the page
   
   
3. Fill out each section of the CPD entry. Mandatory fields are marked with an asterisk (you won't be able to save the entry until all mandatory fields are completed):
   
   
• *Learning Activity/Topic
• *Activity Type - Select from Clinical, Management or Teaching
• *GMC Domain - Select which of the four GMC domains is appropriate
• *Activity Date
• End Date (if applicable)
• *Description of your activity (what did you do?)
• *Credits/hours claimed
• Linked to PDP - link it to a particular PDP item that was agreed from last year's Form 4
• Progress - mark if the entry has been completed or on-going
• Submit to next appraisal? - uncheck this tickbox if you do not want the CPD entry to be included in the appraisal submission
• Description of learning outcome/impact and your reflection - you can add reflections on a CPD entry here or, if you wish, in the "Collective Reflection" section (see below)
• Set Reminder - You can set a Reminder for individual CPD entries if you wish (SOAR will send an email reminder on the set date)
  
  
4. You can also upload any supporting info (certificates, etc) to individual CPD entries using the "Add Document" button
   
   
5. Click the "Save" button at the bottom (or top) to save.

Editing CPD Entries and Collective Reflection

1. Open CPD entries can be edited as needed. First you need to select the appropriate open appraisal the CPD entry was saved to, from the dropdown menu called "Show CPD Entries":
   
   
   
2. A table listing the saved CPD Entries for that appraisal should appear. Click "Edit" to make changes, or "Delete" to remove a saved CPD Entry
   
   
   
3. Underneath this is the "Collective Reflection" section, where you can add a collective reflection highlighting your most significant learning(s) since your last appraisal.

CPD entries are submitted to appraisals for sharing with appraisers, just like PDP and all other pieces of supporting information.

View old CPD entries

To review past CPD entries:

• Select the year of the appraisal via the dropdown menu
• When the CPD page refreshes, click on the "View submitted CPD details" button
• This will redirect you to the appraisal and the submitted documents page, expand the CPD section to review the full details of what was submitted.

CPD items imported from CPD Connect

SOAR and CPD Connect can be linked so that entries from CPD Connect can be exported into SOAR.

However, please be advised that imported items from CPD Connect require manual editing on SOAR to ensure they Submit to next appraisal.  By default, imported items from CPD Connect do not have this tickbox selected so will require manual intervention (as per #3 in "Add a new CPD entry" above).

Past CPD items still appearing

If CPD items from previous appraisals are still appearing on your log, please check each item individually.  Chance are it will be because:

• the "Submit to next appraisal" tickbox was unchecked, so it has remained on the log ready for your editing/submitting; or
• the "Progress" status has been set as "ongoing" - unless this is set to "Completed" the CPD item will remain on your log.

If neither of the above is the case please liaise with the helpdesk for further assistance.

This page was last updated on: 31/01/2022