Training activity information
Details
Perform programmed stimulation under direct supervision in an SVT study
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.
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 knowledge do you need about the protocols for programmed stimulation in SVT and the expected responses?
- What specific skills do you hope to develop in performing programmed stimulation under supervision? What is your current theoretical understanding of programmed stimulation, and how will this activity provide practical application?
- Have you reviewed the principles of programmed stimulation and its application in SVT diagnosis? What potential difficulties might you encounter in performing the stimulation protocol or interpreting the responses, and how will you seek guidance? How do you feel about actively participating in programmed stimulation, and what steps will you take to ensure you follow instructions carefully?
In action
- Focus on the steps involved in delivering programmed electrical stimuli to the heart. How are you adjusting the stimulation parameters? Why are you using specific pacing protocols? What decisions are you making regarding the timing and intensity of the stimulation? What aspects of performing programmed stimulation feel controlled, and what requires more careful attention to the patient’s response and the recorded electrograms?
- How effectively are you eliciting the desired responses and mapping the substrate of the SVT? Are you observing and interpreting the changes in the recorded signals? What challenges are you facing in achieving consistent capture or inducing the arrhythmia of interest? What are you learning about the electrophysiological mechanisms underlying SVT and how programmed stimulation helps in diagnosis? How does this activity build upon your understanding of basic EP principles and pacing techniques?
- Are you adjusting the stimulation protocol based on the patient’s response and the observed electrophysiological findings? What support or guidance might you need from the supervising physician regarding the stimulation protocol or interpretation of the responses? Are you ensuring the programmed stimulation is performed safely and under direct supervision?
On action
- What did you notice? Describe the programmed stimulation protocol used during the SVT study. What stimuli were delivered, and what responses were observed? What was your role in performing this stimulation?
- What did you learn from the activity? Reflect on the principles of programmed stimulation in diagnosing SVT. Did you gain a better understanding of how different stimulation protocols can elicit arrhythmias? Were there any challenges in delivering the stimuli or interpreting the responses? How does this activity contribute to your understanding of SVT mechanisms?
- What will you take from the experience moving forward? Identify any areas where you need to enhance your knowledge of programmed stimulation techniques and the interpretation of responses. How will you approach future SVT studies involving programmed stimulation? What resources or supervision will you seek?
Beyond action
- Have you revisited experiences of performing programmed stimulation? Consider evaluating and re-evaluating these experiences. What different stimulation protocols did you learn to perform? Review other experiences involving EP studies and diagnostic manoeuvres. Discuss the purpose and expected responses of different stimulation protocols with supervisors.
- How have these experiences impacted upon your current practice? Recognise the role of programmed stimulation in diagnosing SVT mechanisms. How has your understanding of SVT circuits and their responses to stimulation developed? How has this experience influenced your ability to anticipate and recognise different arrhythmia inducibility patterns? How will this learning support you in interpreting EP traces during SVT studies?
- How might these experiences contribute towards your future practice? Identify transferable skills such as technical proficiency in EP procedures, understanding of arrhythmia mechanisms, and ability to follow protocols. How will you continue to develop your skills in performing programmed stimulation for various arrhythmias? How might you contribute to the development or refinement of stimulation protocols?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 6 |
Outcome
Perform cardiac physiological role for simple electrophysiology procedures for diagnostic investigations and delivery of therapies to help terminate arrhythmias. |