Training activity information
Details
Communicate with technical specialists and engineers to raise, troubleshoot and resolve an issue with a piece of equipment
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
- Communication with technical specialists and engineers
- Communication with colleagues
- Clinical impact and service prioritisation
- Quality management system
- Incident reporting
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
- Consider what types of equipment issues are common in the histopathology laboratory. Think about who the relevant technical specialists and engineers are and what their roles entail.
- Consider the specific insights you hope to gain from engaging with this activity, such as the process for reporting equipment faults, common causes of equipment malfunction, and effective communication strategies with technical staff. Think about what you already know about the equipment in question.
- Discuss potential equipment issues with your training officer to gain clarity of understanding. Consider possible challenges you might face when communicating the issue (e.g., technical jargon, lack of specific details) and think about how you might handle them. Identify how you feel about communicating technical issues and what skills you might need to develop.
In action
- Pay attention to your actions. How are you approaching the communication with the technical specialist or engineer? Why are you choosing this approach?
- What decisions are you making as the communication progresses? Are you adjusting your explanation based on their responses?
- What aspects of your practice feel intuitive (e.g., explaining the problem), and what requires more conscious effort (e.g., using technical terminology)?
- How effective are your actions in achieving the goal of raising, troubleshooting, and resolving the issue? Is the communication flowing smoothly?
- What challenges are you facing during this communication? Are you struggling to explain the issue clearly, or is there a delay in response?
- What can you learn from this interaction as it unfolds? Are you gaining a better understanding of the equipment or the troubleshooting process?
- How does this activity connect to your existing knowledge and skills? Are you drawing on previous experiences with equipment issues or communication?
- Are there alternative approaches you could be considering in your communication? Could you explain the issue in a different way or provide more specific details?
- Would it be helpful to consult with a colleague or refer to equipment manuals?
- Are you working within your scope of practice in attempting to resolve the issue?
On action
- What were the key points of the communication exchange with the technical specialist or engineer?
- What was the specific issue with the piece of equipment that needed to be addressed?
- What were the main steps taken to troubleshoot and resolve the issue?
- What communication methods were most effective or ineffective during this interaction?
- What new knowledge did you gain about the specific piece of equipment or the troubleshooting process?
- What communication skills did you develop or improve through this activity?
- Were there any unexpected challenges or successes in resolving the issue?
- What did you learn from these?
- What areas for continued development have been identified in your communication or troubleshooting skills?
- How can you apply the learning from this activity to future interactions with technical specialists or engineers?
- What specific actions or ‘next steps’ will you now take to better prepare for or handle similar equipment issues in the future?
- What support or resources might you need to further develop your skills in this area?
Beyond action
- Consider your initial reflections (reflect-on-action) on this communication. What were your initial thoughts on the effectiveness of your communication and the resolution of the issue?
- Have you encountered similar equipment issues since this DTA? How did your approach compare to this earlier experience?
- Have you discussed this type of experience with others? If so, has their perspective changed your view of the situation or your actions?
- Recognise that this DTA contributes to your overall training experience. How has this experience, and potentially subsequent similar ones, developed your communication skills with technical staff?
- How has this experience influenced your ability to troubleshoot equipment issues independently or to know when and how to seek appropriate help?
- Identify the transferable skills you are developing through this type of training activity, such as problem-solving and communication. How might these skills be valuable in future leadership or management roles?
- Identify clear actions for continued development of your skills in communicating with technical specialists and in equipment troubleshooting.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 5 |
Outcome
Evaluate equipment and methods to ensure the continued delivery and development of an effective histopathology service. |