Training activity information
Details
Develop and draft a business case for a specialist investigation or expansion of service (adult or paediatric) for a specialist study modality and present to colleagues
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 are the key components of a compelling business case for a healthcare service or investigation?
- What are the typical structures and content requirements for a business case within your healthcare setting?
- Are you familiar with the factors that need to be considered when proposing a new specialist investigation or service expansion, such as clinical need, patient benefits, resource implications, and financial feasibility?
- Do you know how to gather and present evidence to support your proposal?
- What specific skills in service evaluation, business planning, and professional communication do you hope to develop?
- Think about your current understanding of service delivery and resource management in healthcare. How will this activity enhance your ability to contribute to service improvement initiatives?
- Discuss this training activity with your training officer or supervisor to clarify the specific focus of your business case (e.g., a particular investigation or service expansion, adult or paediatric), the expected format, and the colleagues you will be presenting to.
- Consider possible challenges, such as identifying a clear need, gathering supporting data, or addressing potential counterarguments. How will you approach these?
- Identify how confident you feel in your understanding of business case development and presentation. What resources or examples might be helpful to review?
- Will you research existing business case templates or guidelines within your organisation or the broader healthcare literature?
In action
- How are you approaching the task of identifying a need, gathering supporting evidence, and constructing a compelling argument for your proposal? Why are you prioritising certain aspects in your business case?
- What data and information are you actively seeking and analysing to support your business case (e.g., patient numbers, waiting times, potential benefits, costs)? What decisions are you making about which data to include?
- How are you structuring your business case document to ensure clarity, logical flow, and persuasiveness?
- How effective is your current approach in developing a well-reasoned and evidence-based business case?
- What challenges are you facing as you gather information, analyse data, and draft the business case? For example, is it difficult to obtain the necessary data, are there conflicting priorities, or are you unsure about the financial implications?
- What can you learn from the process of developing this business case as it unfolds? Are you improving your skills in identifying service needs, gathering evidence, financial planning, and persuasive writing?
- Are there alternative approaches you could be considering for framing your business case or presenting your arguments? Could you focus on different benefits or target a specific audience?
- As you draft the business case, are you considering how you will present it to your colleagues and address potential questions or concerns?
On action
- Describe the specialist investigation or service expansion that was the focus of your business case.
- Was it for adult or paediatric patients? What were the key components of the business case you developed (e.g., need, benefits, costs, risks, financial implications, quality issues)?
- What information and data did you gather to support your business case?
- What were the main arguments you presented to your colleagues?
- What were your observations of the colleagues’ reactions and feedback during your presentation?
- What factors are important to consider when developing a business case for a specialist gastrointestinal physiology investigation or service expansion?
- How do you assess the need, benefits, costs, and risks associated with introducing a new investigation or expanding a service?
- What are the key elements of a compelling business case presentation to colleagues?
- How does this activity relate to evaluating practice and making recommendations for service improvements?
- What considerations are specific to adult or paediatric services when developing a business case?
- What aspects of developing and presenting a business case for specialist investigations or service expansion do you feel you need to improve?
- How will you approach developing business cases in the future?
- What resources or knowledge will you seek to enhance your skills in business case development and presentation?
Beyond action
- Consider evaluating and re-evaluating the business case you developed and the presentation you delivered to colleagues. What were the key arguments you presented for the investigation or service expansion?
- Compare this experience with any other projects or service improvement initiatives you have been involved in. What did you learn about the process of developing a business case in a healthcare setting?
- Have you revisited your understanding of the factors to consider when developing a business case, such as risks and benefits, financial implications, and quality issues? Has your knowledge in this area grown?
- Recognise that this training activity contributes to your ability to evaluate practice and make recommendations for service improvements including risks and benefits, financial implications and quality issues. How has this experience broadened your understanding of service development and improvement?
- How has this training activity influenced your ability to identify potential areas for service enhancement within gastrointestinal physiology?
- Consider how the skills developed in strategic thinking, financial awareness, communication, and presentation will support you in future service development activities.
- Identify clear actions for continued development in your understanding of healthcare business planning and service improvement processes. What further training or mentorship could you seek in this area?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 8 |
Outcome
Evaluate practice and make recommendations for service improvements including risks and benefits, financial implications and quality issues. |