Maintaining a surgical portfolio
Your surgical portfolio is more than a record. It is a working account of what you have done, what you have learned, and your personal achievements from your early training onwards. It is also the best way to show your commitment to surgery as a career – a key requirement at each stage of training, from submitting your Core Surgical Training Portfolio through to your Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).
Why maintaining a portfolio matters
A surgical portfolio is not the same as a CV. A CV summarises previous roles, qualifications, and other professional development. Your portfolio shows the journey behind them. It brings together evidence of your experience, decisions, learning, and contribution to surgery over time.You will draw on your portfolio at key points, including:
- applications for training posts
- interviews
- Annual Review of Competence Progression or annual appraisal
- progression in non-training roles
Maintaining it steadily means you can focus on presenting your experience clearly when it matters, rather than retracing steps under pressure.
Start early. Keep it live.
We encourage you to begin maintaining your portfolio as early as possible. Even before you need to present it formally, the habit matters. Regular updates allow you to stay close to your own development and notice where your experience is deepening or where further exposure would help.
Adding to your record often keeps it accurate, reflective, and ready.
Electronic portfolios and structured evidence
All surgical trainees engage with the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP) electronic portfolio as part of training and annual review. This provides the formal structure for recording progress against the curriculum. Prior to starting your surgical training, you can log your surgical experience by creating a surgical eLogbook. eLogbooks integrate directly with your portfolio, and can be used to summarise information about procedures and other aspects of your training to ensure that your portfolio does not become too long.
Alongside this, many trainees choose to keep a clearly organised evidence file on a hard drive in preparation for national selection rounds. Some surgeons keep a paper-based portfolio too, but this is no longer required at interview.
Whether digital or paper-based, it should be:
- logically structured
- clearly indexed
- easy to navigate
Assessors at interview should be able to find evidence quickly. Clear organisation shows respect for their time and confidence in your own record.
What belongs in your portfolio?
Your portfolio should show your ongoing commitment to surgery and the standards that you work towards. Evidence commonly includes:
- a logbook of clinical and operative experience
- workplace-based assessments
- reports from supervisors and trainers (which must be signed, dated, and include their GMC number)
- audit and quality improvement work
- publications and presentations
- teaching, with feedback
- any courses and additional activity
Do not include patient identifiable data in your portfolio. You may redact any identifiable information.
Linking evidence to required competencies
A strong portfolio helps the reader. A simple summary table can be effective. This might list:
- the required competencies and how you have met them
- your self-assessment score (if required for submission at national selection)
- where the supporting evidence can be found in the file
This approach makes your portfolio easier to review and helps you take ownership of your progress. It also allows you to see clearly what comes next.
Before you apply, we would recommend that you check that the evidence you are planning to submit meets the guidance for permissible evidence, includes a self-assessment score index page, and any additional content required by the surgical specialty. This can change each year.
Read our advice on how to demonstrate competencies in your application.
A portfolio for the long term
Even when no one is asking to see it, your portfolio still works for you. It supports appraisal, revalidation, and career planning across every stage of professional practice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is a surgical portfolio the same as a CV?
No. A CV gives a brief overview of roles and achievements. A surgical portfolio provides detailed, structured evidence of how you have developed knowledge, skill and professional judgement over time.
Do I need to maintain a portfolio if I am not in a training post?
Yes. A portfolio supports appraisal, progression in career grade roles, and future applications, including routes to specialist registration.
How often should I update my portfolio?
There is no fixed schedule, but we recommend updating it regularly, for example every three months. Small, frequent updates keep it accurate and make it far more useful when formal review points arrive.
Where can I find current portfolio requirements for recruitment?
Portfolio requirements for national recruitment are set by NHS England. For the most up to date requirements, including how portfolios are assessed in the current recruitment round, you should refer to the official NHS England recruitment website.
Can I include non-surgical experience in my portfolio?
If you don’t have surgical evidence for some sections of your portfolio, then it is beneficial to add non-surgical experience, for example in management or teaching. This is especially true if you have evidence or feedback showing you have done well in that role.