Piloting a Learning Needs Analysis Tool to Inform Personalised Interventions and Reduce Risk of Differential Attainment

Sep 18, 2026

Background: With the UK medical workforce increasingly diverse, Differential Attainment (DA) poses a significant challenge for medical educators. Individualised support is highlighted in DA-related research, and Learning Needs Analysis Tools (LNATs) may tailor help by identifying trainees’ needs and shaping subsequent interventions. Methods: A pilot will be run with trainees and educational supervisors from three NHS England North West postgraduate medicine schools. Outcomes: A self-scored, evidence-based LNAT is used three times over four months, followed by interviews on practical application and perceived value.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Summary of work

Results

Discussion and conclusion

Take home messages

References

Piloting a learning needs analysis tool to inform personalised interventions and reduce risk of differential attainment Mumtaz Patel 1 Julie Bridson2, Liam Jenkins2 and Jeremy Brown2 1 NHS England 2 Edge Hill University Abstract Background With the UK medical workforce becoming increasingly diverse, Differential Attainment (DA) present a considerable problem for medical educators. Ongoing research has looked at how to address the impact of DA; the concept of individualised support has been highlighted as one area of importance within the DA-related literature. Learning Needs Analysis Tools (LNATs) can provide this individualised approach, through identifying the individual needs of each trainee, and informing subsequent interventions based around their identified needs. Summary of work This study, in collaboration between Edge Hill University and NHS England, seeks to pilot an evidence-based LNAT created by the research team. This evaluates whether use of a userfriendly LNAT adds value to the support provided to trainees during medical training. Traineesand their educational supervisors from three schools in Postgraduate Medicine inNHS England North West specialising in psychiatry, core medicine, and surgery will be recruited. The LNATwill be utilised three times over a 4-month period. Results In the conceptual stage of this research, a self-scored LNAT was developed by the research team and proposed to trainees and key stakeholders, which contains: 1. A 17-item questionnaire, scored on their importance and performance 2. A dynamic‘performance wheel’ infographic 3. A calculation to identify the highest priority needs For the pilot study, interviews will be conducted with trainees and their supervisors at the end of the 4-month pilot period, exploring their experiences of practically applying the LNAT. Discussion and conclusion During the 4-month pilot study, the LNAT will allow for a real-time look into the needs of trainees as they progress through their training. This will help to inform the direction of supervisory meetings with the trainee onto the identified needs and their potential solutions. Take home messages This submission will outline the experiences of trainees and their supervisors in practically applying a dynamic and evidence-based LNAT. References (maximum three) No references to add

FAQs

What problem does the study address in medical education?

It targets Differential Attainment (DA) as a significant challenge for medical educators when the UK medical workforce is increasingly diverse.

What is the LNAT intervention being piloted?

An evidence-based, self-scored LNAT that includes a 17-item questionnaire, a dynamic performance wheel infographic, and a calculation to identify highest priority needs.

How will the pilot study be conducted and evaluated?

Trainees and supervisors from three NHS England North West schools will use the LNAT three times over four months, and interviews at the end of the period will explore experiences of applying it in practice.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Ben Jamin