Training activity information
Details
Present an intraoperative neuromonitoring plan for spinal surgery to the multidisciplinary team
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 is the intended outcome of presenting a clear and concise IONM plan to the MDT? What critical information regarding monitoring versus mapping or specific recording parameters does the surgeon or anaesthetist need to understand?
- What specific knowledge of the surgical steps and potential non-pathological effects (like anaesthesia or temperature) do you need to address during the presentation? How should the plan be tailored based on the surgical approach?
- What do you anticipate learning about effective and compassionate communication when discussing technical plans with diverse clinical stakeholders? How will you handle questions regarding the rationale behind your chosen warning criteria?
- How will you prepare by structuring your presentation to follow a logical and standardised narrative? Will you practice explaining the technical nuances of the plan to your supervisor beforehand?
In action
- How are you tailoring your explanation of the plan to the different members of the MDT (surgeon vs. anaesthetist)?
- What decisions are you making regarding the information you prioritise, such as the distinction between monitoring and mapping?
- How are you adapting your communication style based on the immediate questions or concerns raised by the surgical team?
- How effective do you feel your communication is in ensuring the MDT understands the rationale behind your chosen warning criteria?
- Are there alternative visual aids or analogies you could use to help the team understand complex neurophysiological risks?
On action
- Summarise the experience of presenting your IONM plan to the MDT.
- What was the reaction of the surgeon or anaesthetist to the proposed modalities and warning criteria?
- What did you learn about your communication and presentation skills when discussing technical neurophysiological plans with other healthcare professionals?
- Were there any unexpected questions or challenges regarding the surgical approach or the monitoring plan?
- How does this interaction relate to demonstrating effective and compassionate communication with all stakeholders?
- What will you take from this experience to improve your future MDT presentations?
- What practical steps will you take to ensure your plans are clearly articulated and understood by the clinical team?
Beyond action
Have you revisited the experiences?
- Have you reflected on your initial attempts at explaining the distinction between monitoring and mapping to surgeons and anaesthetists?
- Seek feedback from MDT members on your current presentation style—how has your ability to tailor complex technical information to different stakeholders evolved?
How have these experiences impacted upon your current practice?
- Recognise the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in successful IONM.
- How has your confidence in discussing the rationale behind your chosen modalities and alarm criteria evolved since your first MDT presentation?
How might these experiences contribute towards your future practice?
- Identify transferable skills such as compassionate communication, teamwork, and professional leadership.
- What actions will you take to continue developing your role as an expert advisor within the MDT and potentially contribute to local protocol development?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Plan and prepare for intraoperative neuromonitoring for spinal surgery |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Obtain clinical histories for patients undergoing intraoperative neuromonitoring. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Apply legislation and guidelines and manage risk in the performance of intraoperative neuro monitoring. |
| # 6 |
Outcome
Demonstrate effective and compassionate communication skills with all stakeholders, including patients and the multi-disciplinary team. |