Patient Care Pathways

Details

Title

Patient Care Pathways

Type

Stage One

Module code

HPE103

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of this module, the Clinical Scientist in HSST will have the knowledge and skills necessary to work within, and influence, a workplace culture where the patient and the pathways of investigation and treatment meet the needs of the patient and service. They will be expected to seek views from staff, patients and the public and use the feedback to ensure Medical Physics services are safe and of a high quality and reflect current evidence. Clinical Scientists in HSST will also be expected to evaluate the effect of changes to patient pathways and care, and disseminate findings within the multidisciplinary teams and patient users of the service. They will also be expected to consistently demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours necessary for the role of a Consultant Clinical Scientist.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will analyse, synthesise, evaluate and critically apply their expert knowledge with respect to patient pathways, including:

• Current National Health Services (NHS) strategies and policies to promote patient and public involvement in healthcare and the development of public policies.
• Evidence base underpinning the involvement of patients and the public in health and healthcare.
• The advantage and disadvantages of involving patients and service users in decisions regarding changes to Medical Physics practice.
• Barriers to effective patient involvement and potential solutions.
• Design, implementation and evaluation of patient pathways and services.
• Role and impact of patients and the public in NHS governance structures, including Health Education England, NHS England, Public Health England and the appropriate equivalents in the devolved administrations.
• The range of clinical pathways for patients using the services delivered in the area(s) of expertise.
• The effects of the services supported or carried out by Medical Physics on patient pathways.
• The range of stakeholders and their potential requirements, sensitivities and aspirations.
• Local and national policies relating to the services provided by Medical Physics and their impact on current and future patient pathways.
• Local management structures.
• Implications of patient access to records and clinical information for inter- professional practice and multidisciplinary care.
• Complementary health and care services currently used by or available for relevant patient groups and the underpinning evidence base.

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to select, use, interpret and adapt if necessary a range of tools and processes to ensure patient care is safe and meets the needs of the service users and will:

• Analyse qualitatively and quantitatively the performance of services, using tools such as:
  • quality of life indices
  • clinical audit
  • performance indicators, e.g. dashboard indicators.
• Implement changes to Medical Physics services for the improvement of the patient experience.
• Analyse and critically appraise changes to services and interventions carried out or supported by Medical Physics, considering the perspective of patients and service users affected.

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to critically reflect and apply in practice and perform the clinical and scientific skills necessary to assess, appraise and work alongside other healthcare professionals and, where appropriate to the service, patients and the public to:

• Explain and justify the current clinical interventions, identifying where Medical Physics services may be used or changed to improve the patient journey.
• Plan, develop and critically evaluate modified or improved clinical investigations, producing valid comparative data with existing procedures, and involving the views of patients or service users.
• Collect feedback directly from patients and service users, such as by interview or surveys, analyse the feedback and use the feedback to adjust services, ensuring patients are aware of the proposed actions.
• Discuss the follow-up, further investigation and/or appropriate treatment of individual patients based on the outcomes of clinical investigations and current best practice/evidence.
• Work with peers, patients and service users to assess the impact of new services or changes to services provided by Medical Physics services.
• Describe the benefits of carrying out research and development activities in relation to patient pathways and the patient experience.

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. They will be required to consistently demonstrate 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 will:

• Act in accordance with the principles and practice of patient-centred care, regularly reflecting on personal practice and revising judgments and changing behaviour in light of new evidence.
• Take into account social, cultural and ethical boundaries, making alternative arrangements where necessary.
• Encourage informed debate and critical reflection within healthcare teams.
• Recognise the importance of the multidisciplinary clinical team and take responsibility for ensuring appropriate and effective decision making processes are in place.
• Actively seek to work alongside other healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients or service users accessing Medical Physics services.
• Recognise and champion the importance of continuous review and development of service, in partnership with patients and the public.
• Show an appreciation of the factors influencing patient choice in the Clinical Scientist in HSST’s areas of service, including personal and moral beliefs and cultural practices.