Perceptions of portfolio assessment in family medicine graduates: a qualitative interview study

BACKGROUND: The use of the portfolio methodology in medical education can serve as a tool for learning, assessment, and reflection on practice. This study concentrates on perceptions of the portfolio assessment methodology among participants in the Saudi Diploma of Family Medicine program. METHODS: In this qualitative interview study, data were collected and analysed using a grounded theory approach. RESULTS: Nine codes emerged: (1) Importance of understanding the definition, objectives, and process of portfolio assessment, (2) Impact of different understandings on the part of various trainers, (3) Role of the type of assessment, (4) Workload and stress of portfolio assessment, (5) Effectiveness of the portfolio contents, (6) Role of the mentor’s feedback, (7) Role in the learning process, (8) Role in practice, (9) Suggestions for portfolio improvement. Open codes were then regrouped into three axial codes: context, strategy, and outcome of portfolio assessment. CONCLUSION: This study explored a general explanation of portfolio assessment shaped by the postgraduate students. It identifies the importance of portfolio understanding in student acceptability of the portfolio assessment methodology. Thus, proper implementation is vital for the success of assessing the student by the portfolio methodology. The students perceived reflection as the most valuable part of the process, which facilitated their learning, confidence, and self-assessment. Mentor feedback is a good strategy for coping with portfolio challenges. Our findings provide some evidence of positive outcomes of portfolio assessment in practice and professional development. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-022-03991-7.