Advanced Radiotherapy Techniques —
Training activity: 21

Details

Assist in troubleshooting issues with a patient’s treatment and plan a strategy to resolve the issue

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

• Assessment of impact on patient treatment
• Patient centred care and support
• Resolution of the issue.
• Communication of recommendations
• Impact on patient

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 potential causes? What information (e.g., imaging, dosimetry) is available?
• What are the potential clinical consequences if the issue is not resolved?
• What factors should be considered when planning a resolution strategy, keeping the patient’s needs in mind?
• Have you discussed the issue with the clinical team involved?
• What approaches are effective for troubleshooting clinical problems?
• How is a resolution strategy developed in a clinical context?
• How do you feel about participating in troubleshooting patient-related issues?

In action

• What information are you gathering from the patient’s record, treatment parameters, and discussions with other healthcare professionals?
• What potential causes are being considered for the issue?
• What is your role in assisting with the troubleshooting process?
• What are the key elements of the strategy being planned to address the patient’s treatment issue?
• Are you able to effectively gather and interpret the relevant information related to the patient’s treatment issue?
• Are you understanding the different factors that might be contributing to the problem?
• Are you contributing to the development of a comprehensive and patient-centred resolution strategy?
• If the initial strategies for resolving the patient’s treatment issue are not successful, what alternative approaches are being considered?
• Are you learning from the insights of senior colleagues and other members of the multidisciplinary team?
• Are you ensuring that the patient’s well-being and safety remain the top priority throughout the troubleshooting process?

On action

• What was the specific issue encountered with the patient’s treatment (e.g., delivery, side effects, setup)? What information was gathered from the patient and other staff? What different potential causes were considered? What was the planned strategy for addressing the issue and ensuring the continuation of treatment?
• What did you learn about your ability to analyse complex clinical situations, your communication skills in gathering information and explaining potential solutions to the patient and other team members, and your understanding of the factors that can impact a patient’s radiotherapy treatment? Did you identify any areas where your clinical knowledge or patient communication skills could be further developed?
• How will this enhance your problem-solving skills in relation to patient treatment issues? How will this improve your ability to assist in identifying and resolving problems that may arise during a patient’s radiotherapy course? What further knowledge of potential treatment complications and their management would be beneficial?

Beyond action

• Considering the patient treatment issue you helped troubleshoot, how has your understanding of the complexities of patient-specific problems and their resolution evolved?
• How has this experience influenced your ability to think critically and collaborate with colleagues to find solutions for individual patient needs?
• Have you been involved in resolving other patient treatment issues since this training activity? How did your initial experience inform your subsequent approach?
• How has your experience in patient-focused troubleshooting since contributed to your role in delivering personalised and effective radiotherapy treatments?

Relevant learning outcomes

#	Outcome
# 3	Outcome Generate, adapt and evaluate treatment plans using complex techniques.
# 4	Outcome Critically appraise the application of radiotherapy treatments and techniques and make recommendations considering safety, efficacy, outcomes and the suitability and impact on the patient.
# 7	Outcome Assess the quality of practice and make recommendations for improvements.
# 8	Outcome Practice effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide safe, patient centred radiotherapy treatments.