There are many ways in which you can identify your learning needs. First, think about your learning, reflect on what you actually do, or don't do. This prompt list may help you with this:

• What topics or issues interest you?
• What topics or issues don't interest you?
• What topics or issues do you enjoy learning about?
• What topics or issues do you perhaps avoid learning about?
• What topics or issues should you focus on to support the practice's business plan, including PCG, Local Health Authority and National Priorities?

Obviously this could identify your wants, rather than your needs, so the next step is to obtain evidence to support the findings from your own reflections. Here are some ideas on how to try and tease out which your 'blind spots' or areas of ignorance are.

• Use the 3's approach
• Use a critical incident diary.
• Conduct a significant event audit.
• Use the PUNS and DENS approach
• Conduct a clinical audit against national, local and practice targets
• Ask those who work with you closely, or others who know you well !
• Consider feedback from patients, perhaps by a satisfaction survey focusing on a particular area.
• Use a checklist of areas to explore.

If you are involved in team learning, then perhaps using a Learning matrix to decide on needs and to prioritise activities may be the best option.