Innovation in Healthcare Science

Details

Title

Innovation in Healthcare Science

Type

Stage Two

Module code

HCC22

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

Innovation is defined as an idea, product, or service new to the NHS or applied in a novel way that has the potential to significantly improve the quality of health and care wherever it is applied (Innovation Health and Wealth: Accelerating Adoption and Diffusion in the NHS, 2011).

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to analyse and synthesise their understanding of service development and improvement and the role of innovation as creative and enterprising researchers, entrepreneurs and problem solvers. They will apply their expert scientific knowledge to improve or develop new clinical services, identifying opportunities to innovate and creating a culture where innovation flourishes. They will work with colleagues and patients as they plan, evaluate and deliver new services or diagnostic approaches. The Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to disseminate their innovative work evaluating the impact on patients and health services as applicable. In some healthcare science specialisms, the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to develop a plan to market successful, regulatory-compliant devices and diagnostics products or service innovation.

The Clinical Scientist in HSST will also be expected to be able to keep up to date and analyse and synthesise their understanding of key and emerging technologies that underlie recent innovations in healthcare science. The Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on their performance and evaluate their own response to both normal and complex situations. They will consistently demonstrate the professional attitudes and behaviours expected of a Consultant Clinical Scientist and place the patient and their safety at the centre of care.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the training period the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to analyse, synthesise and critically apply their expert scientific knowledge with respect to the contribution of innovation in improving and developing healthcare and the steps required to identify innovative solutions and methods within their specialism, and will:

• identify recent successful innovation projects that have been implemented within the specialism that have improved patient outcomes, and critically evaluate the enablers and barriers to successful innovation in healthcare;
• evaluate how technology and innovation are managed within the NHS, comparing and contrasting this with the private sector;
• discuss the legal principles governing law and intellectual property, patents and trademarks, and evaluate the options that are available to protect new ideas, concepts, written material, images, or designs in the context of health and healthcare science;
• assess market opportunities, including specifying the unmet need, describing the market space, competitors, etc., funding sources for new technology and the regulatory framework within which new technologies must be developed;
• critically evaluate proposals that consider each of the key aspects of introducing a new technology to the NHS or an alternative organisation, including dealing with issues around intellectual property rights, patenting, professional codes of practice and the establishment of appropriate economic, legal and social frameworks;
• describe and evaluate a range of methods/tools and frameworks that underpin:
  • the identification of ideas for service development and innovation;
  • the exploration of ideas and solutions;
  • the promotion of individual and group creativity;
  • the evaluation of ideas to transform an idea into something useful;
  • the development of a structured approach to problem solving and delivering solutions;
  • the development of a business case for the provision of a new service, including a cost-benefit analysis;
  • the promotion of effective collaboration while working with colleagues, patients and other people and organisations, and the value of the contribution from all partners;
  • the communication and discussion of information in a timely and effective manner;
  • effective communication with a variety of audiences, including lay and non- science;
  • strategies to secure success attracting support;
  • leadership in innovation;
  • the implementation of a new technology/enterprise;
  • evaluating innovation;
  • dissemination of innovative solutions to promote the uptake of new methods of service delivery, new technology, etc., across healthcare.

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to critically reflect and apply in practice a range of skills to identify potential ideas for service development and innovation, exploring ideas and solutions at all stages of an innovation pathway (i.e. create, refine, evaluate, appraise, use) to secure success and will:

• identify potential ideas for service development and innovation, exploring ideas and solutions;
• use a range of tools to promote creativity to:
  • promote individual creativity;
  • promoting group creativity;
  • evaluate ideas;
  • transform an idea into something useful;
• solve problems using a structured approach to problem solving by:
  • defining problems;
  • managing problems;
  • framing problems;
  • delivering solutions;
• write a plan to introduce a new technology to the NHS or an alternative organisation spanning the key aspects that must be considered, including intellectual property rights, patenting, professional codes of practice and the establishment of appropriate economic, legal and social frameworks;
• develop a business case for the provision of the new service, including a cost- benefits analysis;
• work with colleagues, patients and other people and organisations:
  • valuing others;
  • collaborating effectively;
  • keeping up to date;
  • communicating in a timely and effective manner;
• utilise a range of strategies to secure success, including:
  • taking the initiative;
  • testing the water;
  • attracting support;
  • leading a new enterprise;
• communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, including lay and non- science.

Attitudes and behaviours

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to evaluate their own response to both normal and complex situations, demonstrating the professional attributes and insights required of a Consultant Clinical Scientist working within the limits of professional competence, referring as appropriate to senior staff, and in the context of research and innovation will:

• promote a sustainable, engrained culture of innovation in an individual, department and organisation;
• solve problems;
• take the initiative and provide leadership for the promotion and implementation of innovation;
• keep up to date with developments in healthcare and healthcare science;
• approach unfamiliar tasks and problems with an open and creative outlook;
• use effective questioning techniques;
• develop professional networks;
• make and maintain connections;
• explore opportunities and solutions to problems;
• be resilient and resourceful.