Patient Pathway —
Training activity: 6

Details

Conduct patient assessments, making use of appropriate healthcare technology based on referral and interview information, under supervision

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

• Physical examination of patients
• Specification of the healthcare technology required
• Relationship between test measures and referral question, potential interventions, patient priorities and goal setting
• Prioritisation and practicality of measurement strategy
• Limitations of key measures
• Quality assessment of measurements to optimise output and minimise artefacts

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

• Which healthcare technologies are appropriate for the patient assessment based on the referral and interview information?
  • How will you use these technologies effectively and safely under supervision?
  • What are the key parameters you need to measure and observe?
  • What technical skills related to the specific technologies do you need to be proficient in?
• What do you hope to learn about conducting patient assessments using specific healthcare technologies?
  • What insights do you expect to gain about the relationship between patient history, technology application, and assessment outcomes?
  • What prior experience do you have with the relevant assessment technologies?
• How will you familiarise yourself with the operation and safety procedures of the required healthcare technologies?
  • What specific assessment protocols will you follow?
  • How will you integrate information from the referral and interview into your assessment approach?
  • What support do you anticipate needing from your supervisor?
  • What potential challenges might you face during the assessment, and how will you prepare for them?
  • How do you feel about conducting patient assessments using technology?

In action

• When conducting the assessment, how are you selecting and utilising the healthcare technology based on the referral and interview information?
  • What is your rationale for these choices?
• What decisions are you making during the assessment about the techniques to employ and how to interpret the data being generated by the technology?
• If you encounter unexpected readings or challenges with the technology, what alternative approaches are you considering or what support are you seeking?

On action

• Summarise the assessment you conducted, the technology used, and the key findings.
  • How did the referral and interview information guide your assessment?
• What did you learn about conducting patient assessments using healthcare technology?
  • Did you improve your understanding of how to select and utilise appropriate technology?
  • How did you interpret the data generated?
  • Were there any challenges with the technology or in obtaining reliable data?
  • What did you learn from these?
  • How did you adjust your assessment techniques based on the patient’s presentation and the technology’s output?
  • How does the ability to conduct effective patient assessments using technology contribute to patient diagnosis and management?
• What aspects of patient assessment or the use of specific technologies do you need to develop further?
  • What further understanding of underlying physiological principles would be valuable?
  • How will you approach future patient assessments?
  • What specific steps will you take to enhance your assessment skills and technological proficiency?
  • What resources or supervision would be beneficial?

Beyond action

• Have you conducted other patient assessments using healthcare technology since this DTA?
  • How has your proficiency in using different assessment technologies improved?
  • Have you reflected on the appropriateness of the technologies you selected in subsequent assessments?
• How has this experience influenced your ability to select and utilise appropriate healthcare technology in patient assessments?
  • Has your understanding of the limitations and benefits of different technologies evolved?
  • Has your ability to integrate information from referral, interview, and technology-based assessment improved?
• What skills in patient assessment, technology utilisation, and clinical reasoning did you develop that are essential for your future role?
  • How has this experience shaped your understanding of the role of technology in patient care pathways?
  • What actions will you take to further develop your skills in conducting technology-based patient assessments?

Relevant learning outcomes

#	Outcome
# 2	Outcome Communicate clearly and effectively with a range of stakeholders to inform and educate.
# 3	Outcome Conduct a patient episode from referral to treatment including identification and prescription of healthcare technology.
# 4	Outcome Explain the clinical impact of pathological processes and mechanisms and formulate appropriate measurement and intervention strategies for the condition.
# 5	Outcome Appraise patient experiences, requirements and goals across specialist service areas.