Conventional and electronic portfolios in medical residencies

Portfolio is a new tool that gathers evidence of knowledge, abilities, attitudes, and values. This form of evaluation has arisen in the context of a competency based learning and evaluation. Conventional portfolios can be mainly divided in summative and formative. Summative portfolio can evaluate the final learning product of the student and formative portfolio can guide the student through the learning process with various evaluations. Also, electronic portfolios have increased the range of evidences that can be added to the portfolio, is highly accessible and is more agreeable to students. Recommendations are made on how to start and maintained a portfolio in medical residencies.