Training activity information
Details
Carry out a policy audit to identify whether a policy is being followed appropriately, and report the findings and recommendations to the policy owner
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
- Policy audit methods
- Stakeholder identification
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 specific policy will you audit? What criteria will you use to determine if it is being followed appropriately? How will you gather evidence?
- What insights do you hope to gain about the practicalities of ensuring policy compliance within a healthcare setting? What do you already know about audit methodologies and reporting? How do you expect to develop your skills in systematically assessing policy implementation and providing constructive feedback? What do you anticipate learning about the challenges and importance of policy audits in maintaining standards and quality?
- Discuss this activity with your training officer and the policy owner to understand the purpose and scope of the audit, and any specific areas of concern. Thoroughly review the policy you will be auditing to understand its requirements and procedures. Develop an audit plan, including the methods you will use to gather evidence (e.g., observation, documentation review, interviews). Consider how you will document your findings and formulate your recommendations. Reflect on your understanding of audit principles and policy implementation, and identify any resources or guidance you might need.
In action
- What methods are you using to audit policy adherence? Are you observing practice, reviewing records, or interviewing staff? Why have you chosen these methods?
- What decisions are you making about what constitutes appropriate adherence and how to measure it? What criteria or standards are you using?
- Which aspects of conducting a policy audit feel more intuitive based on your understanding of audit processes? Where are you having to consciously focus on objectivity and evidence gathering?
- How effectively are you gathering evidence of policy adherence (or non-adherence)? Are your methods providing sufficient and reliable data?
- What challenges are you facing in conducting the audit or in formulating your findings and recommendations? Are there areas where it’s difficult to determine compliance?
- What are you learning about the practical application of policies and the audit process as you carry out this activity?
- Are there alternative audit methods you could have employed? How might you present your findings and recommendations most effectively?
- Do you need to seek guidance on audit methodologies or how to frame your report and recommendations constructively?
- Are you ensuring your audit activities and recommendations remain within the scope of the policy being audited and your role in the process?
On action
- Describe the policy you audited and the methods you used to assess its implementation. What were the key findings of your audit regarding adherence to the policy? Were there areas of good practice or areas of concern? Summarise the main recommendations you made to the policy owner.
- What skills or knowledge did you develop or improve in conducting a policy audit and reporting findings? Did you gain a better understanding of the challenges in ensuring policy compliance? Were there any unexpected findings or difficulties during the audit process? What did you learn about policy implementation and its assessment? How did your decisions during the audit (reflection-in-action) influence the scope and focus of your findings and recommendations? How is the ability to conduct policy audits and provide recommendations relevant to ensuring quality and safety in healthcare?
- What areas do you need to develop further in your audit skills, understanding of policy implementation, or ability to provide constructive feedback? How can you apply the principles of policy auditing to other aspects of your work to ensure standards are being met? What ‘next steps’ will you take to improve your skills in this area? What support or resources would be beneficial for your continued development in policy auditing?
Beyond action
- Considering your current understanding of audit processes and policy implementation, how would you evaluate the policy audit you conducted? What aspects of the audit methodology or your recommendations would you refine now? Have you been involved in other audits or compliance checks since this training activity? How did your initial audit experience inform your later approaches? Did feedback from the policy owner or colleagues highlight any areas of the audit or your reporting that could have been improved? Re-examine your reflect-on-action notes for this training activity. Has your understanding of the challenges in ensuring policy adherence broadened since then?
- Has your awareness of policy audit principles influenced how you approach your own adherence to policies and procedures? Has this exercise helped you understand the importance of objective assessment and clear reporting in policy management? How has this training activity contributed to your understanding of the relationship between policy, practice, and accountability? Has it influenced how you think about the process of implementing and monitoring policy compliance?
- What skills in planning, data collection, analysis, and communication did you develop through this training activity that will be valuable in future quality assurance or governance roles? What further learning or resources will you seek to enhance your expertise in policy auditing and compliance management? How will your ability to conduct effective policy audits contribute to ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of organisational policies in your future career?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 5 |
Outcome
Perform policy audits and report conclusion and recommendations. |