The rapid growth in web technologies illustrates how global attitudes to paper are changing. The world of radiotherapy is responding to this by steadily replacing paper-based systems with digital equivalents. In this time when the world is swapping thousands of years of dependence on ink and paper for pixels and screens, representing professional development in a large file of paper may soon seem incongruous.

This paper aims to introduce the concept of a “virtual portfolio” along with the rationale for using it. In the context of radiotherapy professional practice, the virtual portfolio's function mirrors that of a conventional portfolio, but uses electronic media to collate and present the evidence. Potential advantages and disadvantages of the virtual portfolio are presented, along with a brief overview of the software tools that can assist with the transition away from paper.

Since a portfolio is ultimately a very individual expression of personal and professional development, it is obvious that the virtual portfolio will not be suitable for everyone. It can be seen that electronic media offer some useful tools to the portfolio developer, but ultimately it is the content and use of the portfolio rather than the format that is of importance.