Training activity information
Details
Present case studies of non-imaging investigations following the patient pathways from referral, justification/authorisation, image acquisition and processing, reporting and discussion of results. To include:
- GFR test
- A gamma probe study
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
- Referral information and choice of test
- Choice of radiopharmaceutical, radiopharmaceutical provision and administered activity
- Processing and quality assurance of results
- Radiopharmaceuticals outside the nuclear medicine department
- Patient understanding of procedure
- Patient consent process (implied, verbal)
- Patient centred care and support and patient experience
- Local procedures and published guidelines
- Operator roles
- Practical implementation of IR(ME)R
- Role of procedure within the patient pathway
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
- Which specific GFR test and gamma probe study cases will you focus on?
- What specific insights do you hope to gain into the patient pathways for non-imaging Nuclear Medicine investigations?
- Reflect on your current understanding of these pathways and the technical aspects of GFR tests and gamma probe studies. What do you anticipate learning about effectively presenting case studies for procedures that don’t primarily involve static images?
- Discuss suitable case studies with your training officer, focusing on GFR tests and gamma probe studies.
- Review the typical patient pathways and the technical principles behind these investigations.
- Plan how to present the relevant data and results for these non-imaging procedures.
In action
- How are you structuring and delivering your presentation of the case study for non-imaging investigations like GFR tests and gamma probe studies?
- How are you adapting the concept of image acquisition and processing to these types of studies? What are you focusing on instead?
- What decisions are you making during the presentation? For example, how are you explaining the principles behind these tests and the interpretation of their results?
- How are you relating the findings to the patient’s clinical context?
- What aspects of presenting non-imaging case studies feel intuitive, and what requires more conscious effort, such as explaining the methodology of a GFR measurement or the clinical applications of a gamma probe?
- How effectively are you communicating the key aspects of the case study, including the rationale for the investigation, the procedure itself, the analysis of the data, and the interpretation of the results for GFR and gamma probe studies?
- What challenges are you facing during the presentation? For example, are you clearly explaining concepts that are not visually represented as images?
- Are you effectively conveying the clinical significance of the results?
- What can you learn about presenting non-imaging investigations, explaining physiological principles, and interpreting quantitative data in a clinical context as the presentation unfolds?
- How does this presentation connect to your existing knowledge of non-imaging Nuclear Medicine procedures like GFR and gamma probe studies, as well as your understanding of their role in patient pathways?
- Are there alternative ways you could be visualising the data or explaining the principles of these tests if the audience seems unclear?
- Could you use graphs, diagrams, or analogies?
- What support or feedback are you actively seeking regarding your ability to explain these non-imaging procedures and their results effectively?
- Are you ensuring that your presentation is within your scope of practice and accurately represents the methodology and interpretation of these non-imaging investigations?
On action
- What were the key aspects of the patient pathways for the GFR test and the gamma probe study that you presented?
- What were the stages of referral, justification/authorisation, sample/data acquisition and processing, reporting, and discussion of results for each investigation?
- What were the main findings and outcomes of each case study? How was the information presented and to whom?
- What did you learn about the patient pathways for non-imaging Nuclear Medicine investigations?
- How did this activity contribute to your understanding of your role within the multidisciplinary team in the context of these tests?
- What were the specific considerations for justification, acquisition, and interpretation of GFR and gamma probe studies?
- How did your reflection-in-action (during preparation and presentation) influence the way you structured and delivered the information?
- How does this experience relate to communicating effectively about non-imaging investigations and their results?
- What areas for continued development in understanding the pathways for non-imaging investigations and presenting related case studies have been identified?
- How can you apply the learning from this activity to future discussions or presentations involving GFR tests or gamma probe studies?
- What actions or ‘next steps’ will you take to further your knowledge of these specific investigations and their clinical utility?
- What support or resources might you need to enhance your expertise in non-imaging Nuclear Medicine procedures?
Beyond action
- Consider revisiting the case studies of non-imaging investigations you presented.
- Have you gained more experience with GFR tests or gamma probe studies since, and has your understanding of their clinical applications evolved?
- Compare your experience of presenting these non-imaging investigations with your presentations of imaging studies.
- What are the key differences in the information presented and the interpretation of results?
- Review your reflections from this training activity alongside other activities that involve a range of nuclear medicine investigations. How has your appreciation for the breadth of nuclear medicine services developed?
- Discuss your case study presentations with colleagues who specialise in these non-imaging techniques. Did they offer any insights into the nuances of these investigations or their role in patient management?
- Recognise how this activity has broadened your understanding of the diverse applications of nuclear medicine beyond imaging.
- How has your appreciation for the role of functional tests in patient care grown?
- How has your experience influenced your ability to explain the purpose and results of non-imaging investigations to referrers or other healthcare professionals?
- Consider how the learning from this training activity will support you in observed communication events and case-based discussions that may involve a range of nuclear medicine procedures.
- Identify the transferable skills developed, such as understanding physiological principles, interpreting functional data, and communicating the clinical significance of non-imaging test results.
- How might these skills be valuable in a broader clinical scientist role?
- Identify actions for continued development in your knowledge of non-imaging nuclear medicine techniques.
- What further learning or opportunities to be involved in these procedures might you seek?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Evaluate practice with respect to published guidelines and expected standards. |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Identify the role of Nuclear Medicine procedures within patient pathways and their own role within a multidisciplinary team delivering these. |