Training activity information
Details
Perform a clinical audit for a radionuclide therapy procedure
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
- Guidelines, literature and legislation, and current best practice
- Appropriate metrics to audit
- Audit process and audit loop
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
- How does performing a clinical audit contribute to your understanding of the processes involved in preparing and administering radiopharmaceuticals and explaining post-therapy restrictions in line with established standards?
- What broad guidance might be relevant here (e.g., principles of audit methodology, quality improvement)?
- What is the specific focus of the clinical audit you will be undertaking? What standards or guidelines will you be auditing against?
- Consider the specific insights you hope to gain from performing this audit. What aspects of the radionuclide therapy procedure are you hoping to understand better in terms of adherence to standards and potential areas for improvement?
- Think about your current understanding of clinical audit processes. What are the key steps involved, and where do you feel your knowledge might be limited?
- What skills in data collection, analysis, interpretation of results, and formulating recommendations for improvement do you hope to develop?
- Discuss with your training officer the specific radionuclide therapy procedure you will be auditing, the audit criteria, and any data collection methods you should use.
- Are there any previous audits or relevant documentation you should review?
- Consider possible challenges you might face, such as accessing data, interpreting findings, or presenting your results constructively. How might you prepare for these challenges (e.g., familiarising yourself with the audit tool, discussing potential issues with your supervisor)?
- Identify your initial expectations about the audit findings. Maintaining an objective and analytical approach will be important throughout the process.
In action
- Pay attention to the steps you are taking in the audit process, such as data collection or analysis.
- Why are you choosing these particular methods?
- What decisions are you making about the scope of the audit and the criteria you are using for evaluation?
- What aspects of the audit process feel intuitive based on your understanding of quality improvement, and what requires more conscious effort in terms of methodology or statistical analysis?
- How effective do you feel you are in collecting and analysing the relevant data for the audit?
- What challenges are you facing during the audit, such as accessing information or interpreting the findings?
- What can you learn about clinical governance and quality assurance processes as you undertake this audit?
- How does this audit relate to your understanding of evidence-based practice in radionuclide therapy?
- Are there alternative data sources or analytical techniques you could consider if your initial approach is not yielding the necessary information?
- What support or guidance might you need from colleagues or your supervisor regarding the audit methodology or interpretation of results?
- Are you ensuring that the audit is conducted ethically and within the scope of your training?
On action
- What were the specific aspects of the radionuclide therapy procedure that you audited?
- What data did you collect, and what were the key findings of the audit?
- Were there any areas where practice aligned well with standards, and where were there deviations?
- What did you learn about the process of conducting a clinical audit and its importance in quality improvement?
- What insights did you gain into the specific radionuclide therapy procedure that you audited?
- Were there any unexpected challenges in collecting or analysing the audit data? What did you learn from these challenges?
- How did your reflect-in-action (during the audit process) influence your approach to data collection or analysis?
- How does this experience relate to the principles of clinical governance and evidence-based practice in post-programme practice?
- What areas for continued development in your understanding of clinical audit methodologies or specific audit topics have been identified?
- How can you apply the learning from this audit to future quality improvement initiatives?
- What specific actions will you take to further develop your skills in clinical audit?
- What support or resources might you need to further develop your knowledge and skills in this area?
Beyond action
- Have you reviewed your initial reflections on conducting the clinical audit?
- Have you since been involved in other audit processes or quality improvement initiatives?
- How does your understanding of audit methodology now compare?
- Have you discussed the findings or implications of this audit with your training officer or colleagues? Has this provided a longer-term perspective on the impact of the audit?
- How has this training activity enhanced your understanding of the principles of clinical governance and the role of audit in ensuring quality and safety in radionuclide therapy procedures?
- Has this experience made you more aware of the importance of data collection and analysis in evaluating clinical practice?
- How has this activity contributed to your ability to perform a clinical audit for a radionuclide therapy procedure?
- What transferable skills, such as data analysis, critical evaluation, and attention to detail, did you develop through this training activity that will be valuable in your future career?
- What clear actions for continued development in your understanding of clinical audit and quality improvement methodologies have you identified through revisiting this experience?
- How might this experience prepare you for future roles that involve leading or participating in clinical audit or service improvement projects?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals for radionuclide therapies, communicating effectively with patients. |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Identify and explain the post-therapy behavioural radiation restrictions including the effective communication of risk to patients and personnel. |