Current Debates and Controversies in Vascular Science

Details

Title

Current Debates and Controversies in Vascular Science

Type

Stage Two

Module code

HPS178

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of this module, the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to apply their knowledge, skills and experience to enable them to be fully participate in debates and controversies related to vascular science. They will acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to formulate opinion, and shape responses to outstanding or unresolved issues and controversies within the field of vascular science and vascular services. This will allow the Clinical Scientist in HSST to critically evaluate their own response to complex issues using their professional attributes and insights.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of this module, the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to analyse, synthesise, evaluate and critically apply their expert knowledge to debates, consensus and national opinions within the field of vascular science and related vascular services including: 

• the ability to access evidence or opinion from multiple sources and resources.
• the ability to formulate and present opinions and viewpoints in a logical and structured fashion.
• ethical and medico-legal issues of vascular science including access to imaging services for vulnerable, elderly, disabled or terminally ill patients.
• on-going   uncertainty   regarding   surveillance   intervals   pre    and   post treatment for a range of disorders, e.g. AAA and bypass surgery.
• the implementation of national protocols that conflict with local protocols
• workforce     planning    including    controversies     related     to     specific investigations being undertaken by lower band staff.
• debates focused on the process of quality assurance for vascular units, and screening programmes.
• the formulation of national guidelines where there remains divided opinion about specific recommendations. Such guidance includes  documents issued by NICE, Health Technology Assessment and the Vascular Society.
• issues related to the transition of providing therapeutic procedures rather than purely diagnostic test, to include boundaries, competence and ethical issues, e.g. thermal ablation of veins, etc

Technical and clinical skills

The Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to access data from multiple sources including; IT systems (databases), library, journals, internet, conferences and scientific meetings and clinical meetings including case discussions.

By the end of this module, the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to critically reflect and apply in practice appropriate skills during discussions, debate, policy formulation, recommendations and consensus meetings. They will have clinical and communication skills to communicate effectively with healthcare and non-healthcare professionals and will be able to:

• conduct research and present evidence.
• communicate in a logical and structured approach.
• present coherent and evidence-based information and data.
• defend specific points of view based on sound evidence.
• challenge evidence that has minimal or poor support.
• reach a consensus in conjunction with other experts in the field.
• communicate with the multi-disciplinary teams, agencies, specialist groups and organisations, including non-NHS groups.

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 also be expected 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:

• remain open to new developments, debates and controversy by attending conferences, reviewing and reading journals.
• ensure clinical and scientist colleagues are kept up-to-date with new developments or consensus statements.
• highlight areas of uncertainty and provide advice or opinion to local teams
• continue to monitor any safety issues related to investigations and procedures that are new or where evidence of effectiveness is limited.
• ensure that governance procedures are adhered to.