Training activity information
Details
Carry out an options appraisal and evaluation for a new piece of equipment being considered, and report the conclusions
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
- Specification of need
- Evaluation methods
- Financial impact
- Existing infrastructure
- Service integration
- Networking and data considerations
- Lifetime management requirements
- Cost benefit analysis
- Stakeholder involvement
- Risk management
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 key criteria to consider when appraising and evaluating new equipment?
- How do you identify and compare different options?
- What factors (e.g., clinical need, cost, safety, usability) are important in the decision-making process?
- How are conclusions documented and reported?
- What do you hope to learn about the process of options appraisal and evaluation?
- What insights do you expect to gain about different types of medical equipment and their suitability for specific needs?
- What prior knowledge do you have about procurement processes or medical device specifications?
- How will you identify potential equipment options?
- What information will you need to gather about each option?
- How will you structure your appraisal and evaluation process?
- What criteria will you use for comparison?
- Who are the stakeholders you might need to consult?
- What potential challenges might you encounter in gathering information or comparing options, and how will you prepare for them?
- How do you feel about contributing to equipment procurement decisions?
In action
- As you assess the different equipment options, what criteria are you prioritising and why?
- How are you evaluating the information available for each option? Are there any challenges in comparing the options?
- Are you instinctively leaning towards a particular option? What factors are driving this intuition?
On action
- Summarise the process you followed for the options appraisal and evaluation.
- What criteria did you consider? What were the key findings?
- What did you learn about carrying out options appraisals and evaluations for new equipment?
- Did you improve your ability to consider different factors (e.g., cost, clinical need, technical specifications)?
- Were there any unexpected factors that influenced the appraisal? What did you learn from these?
- How did you adapt your approach as you gathered and analysed information (reflection-in-action)?
- How does this activity relate to the stages of the healthcare technology management lifecycle?
- What aspects of options appraisal and evaluation do you need to develop further?
- How will you apply this learning in future equipment procurement processes?
- What are your next steps in understanding equipment procurement and evaluation?
- What resources (e.g., procurement guidelines, evaluation templates) would be helpful?
Beyond action
- Have you been involved in other equipment procurement processes or options appraisals since this DTA?
- How has your understanding of the factors to consider in an options appraisal (e.g., technical specifications, cost, clinical need, stakeholder input) deepened through subsequent experiences?
- Have you compared the methodology you used in this appraisal with approaches used in other evaluations you have encountered?
- How has this experience influenced your approach to evaluating and selecting new equipment or technologies?
- Have you applied the skills of critical appraisal and evaluation in other areas of your work, such as reviewing research papers or policies?
- Has your understanding of the importance of a structured and evidence-based approach to equipment procurement changed?
- What skills related to critical evaluation, decision-making, and understanding of procurement processes did you develop that will be valuable in future project management or leadership roles?
- How has this experience shaped your understanding of the business and financial considerations in healthcare technology management?
- What actions will you take to further develop your skills in options appraisal and equipment evaluation, perhaps by exploring different methodologies or engaging with procurement specialists?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 2 |
Outcome
Apply and adapt communication skills to effectively provide and gather information to and from stakeholders. |
| # 3 |
Outcome
Apply risk management strategies to the management of healthcare technology to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare professionals. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Appraise and apply legislative frameworks for healthcare technology management. |
| # 7 |
Outcome
Evaluate the role and benefits of quality management systems, applying the relevant standards to practice. |