Training activity information
Details
Critically evaluate a SOP used for spinal surgery intraoperative neuromonitoring against guidelines and make recommendations for improvements.
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 intended outcomes?
- How will evaluating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) help you demonstrate a critical appraisal of the evidence base and ensure data integrity?
What specific knowledge do you need?
- How will you integrate your academic knowledge of systemic factors—such as blood loss or temperature—into your evaluation of the current clinical protocol?
What actions will you take in preparation?
- How will you prepare to present your recommendations for improvements to your department meeting, and what questions from senior colleagues do you anticipate regarding your analysis of the evidence base?
In action
What are you doing?
- How are you currently critically appraising the evidence base within the SOP in relation to modern specialist practice?
- What decisions are you making regarding which recommendations for improvement will most effectively enhance patient safety?
How are you progressing?
- How effective is your evaluation in addressing the impact of systemic factors (e.g., blood pressure, temperature) on the clinical protocol?
- What challenges are you encountering in reconciling local protocols with international guidelines for data integrity?
How are you adapting?
- Are there alternative monitoring modalities or alarm criteria you should be proposing based on your critical review?
- Are you ensuring that your proposed changes to the SOP remain within your trainee scope of practice while you present to senior colleagues?
On action
What did you notice?
- What were the key points of your critical evaluation, and which areas of the SOP were most in need of recommendation for improvement?
What did you learn from the activity?
- What did you learn about critically evaluating the evidence base for IONM protocols in relation to modern specialist standards?
- How did your academic knowledge of systemic factors (e.g., blood pressure, temperature) influence your critique of the existing clinical protocol?
What will you take from the experience moving forward?
- What recommendations will you now put forward to your department to ensure the SOP remains aligned with national and international guidelines?
- How will this critical evaluation process inform your approach to adopting new monitoring technologies or protocols in the future?
Beyond action
Have you revisited the experiences?
- As you revisit your evaluation of the SOP, how has your understanding of the evidence base for IONM evolved after subsequently presenting your recommendations to your senior colleagues?
How have these experiences impacted upon your current practice?
- How has this critical appraisal of local protocols influenced your current adherence to national and international guidelines during live surgical procedures?
How might these experiences contribute towards your future practice?
- What transferable skills in scientific writing and protocol development are you now applying to ensure that your department’s practice remains at the forefront of modern neurophysiological standards?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Practice according to local protocols and national and international guidelines to ensure the integrity of data recorded for intraoperative neuromonitoring. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Critically evaluate the evidence base for intraoperative neuromonitoring. |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Demonstrate effective and professional communication. |