Training activity information
Details
Complete an options appraisal and cost benefit analysis for a new piece of equipment, software or health data system
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Resources for implementation and continued support
- Role of the business/service manager
- Local change control procedures
- Procurement process and the role of a business case
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What are the different options you will be appraising? What information will you need to conduct the cost-benefit analysis?
- How will you develop your understanding of options appraisal and cost-benefit analysis? What factors are important to consider when evaluating new equipment, software, or data systems?
- Will you research different options for the equipment, software, or data system? Will you identify the costs and benefits associated with each option? Have you discussed the specific item to be appraised with your training officer?
In action
- What options are you appraising? What criteria are you using for the appraisal? How are you collecting data for the cost-benefit analysis? What are you considering as benefits and costs?
- Are you able to gather the necessary information for the appraisal and analysis? Are you identifying clear differences between the options? Is the cost-benefit analysis providing useful insights?
- If you are struggling to find data for the analysis, are you considering alternative sources or estimations? If the initial appraisal criteria are not differentiating the options effectively, are you considering additional factors?
On action
- Describe the new piece of equipment, software, or health data system you evaluated. What were the different options you considered in your appraisal? Summarise the key findings of your options appraisal and cost-benefit analysis, including the identified benefits and costs.
- What methods or frameworks did you use for the options appraisal and cost-benefit analysis? What did you learn about these? What factors did you consider when evaluating the different options and their associated costs and benefits? Were there any unexpected complexities or trade-offs you identified during the analysis? What did you learn from these? How did your analytical process (‘reflect-in-action’) lead to your conclusions? How does the ability to conduct options appraisals and cost-benefit analyses contribute to informed decision-making in bioinformatics service development?
- What aspects of options appraisal and cost-benefit analysis do you want to develop further? How can you apply these skills to evaluate different types of investments in bioinformatics services? What specific actions / ‘next steps’ will you now take to enhance your analytical skills in this area? What support or resources might you need to further develop your expertise in economic evaluation?
Beyond action
- Have you had to evaluate different options and conduct cost-benefit analyses for other resources? How did your experience in this training activity help you in those evaluations?
- What were the challenges you encountered in performing the options appraisal and cost-benefit analysis? How did you address them?
- How has your understanding of the economic considerations involved in service development in healthcare evolved since this activity?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Identify, design and develop services for bioinformatics to meet stakeholders needs. |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Prepare feasibility studies and evaluate risk for developments in bioinformatics services. |
| # 7 |
Outcome
Practice in accordance with relevant standards and guidance. |