Training activity information
Details
Review and modify a patient pathway and communicate changes to the relevant care 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 knowledge do you need about the specific patient pathway you will be reviewing? What are its aims and intended steps?
- What understanding do you need of the roles and responsibilities of the different members of the care team involved in the pathway?
- What communication methods are appropriate for conveying changes to the care team?
- What insights do you hope to gain into the process of developing and modifying patient pathways?
- How do you anticipate this activity will improve your understanding of interprofessional communication?
- Discuss the specific patient pathway you will be reviewing with your training officer, understanding its context and any current issues.
- Familiarise yourself with the principles of patient pathway design and improvement.
- Consider potential areas where modifications might be necessary and how these changes could impact the care team and the patient.
In action
- What specific sections of the patient pathway are you currently reviewing? What are you looking for in particular (e.g., efficiency, clarity, evidence-based practice)?
- What criteria are you using to identify potential areas for modification? Are these based on guidelines, local practice, or your understanding of the patient journey?
- How are you formulating the proposed changes? Are you considering the practical implications of these changes?
- What method of communication are you planning to use to convey these changes to the care team? Who specifically needs to be informed?
- Are you finding the patient pathway easy to understand and follow? Are there any ambiguities or gaps?
- Are you identifying specific areas where modifications could lead to improved patient care or efficiency? What evidence supports these potential changes?
- Are you anticipating any challenges in communicating these changes to the care team? How might different team members react?
- If you identify a significant issue with the pathway, are you considering escalating this to a more senior colleague?
- Are you tailoring your proposed modifications based on the context of the specific patient group the pathway serves?
- Are you considering alternative ways to communicate the changes if your initial approach doesn’t seem effective?
On action
- What were the key aspects of the patient pathway you reviewed? What specific areas did you identify as needing modification? What were the reasons for these potential changes? What challenges did you anticipate or experience in formulating the modifications or considering how to communicate them? What reactions or considerations from the perspective of the wider care team did you think about?
- Did you develop a better understanding of the components and flow of a patient pathway? What did you learn about the process of identifying areas for improvement in a clinical pathway? Did you enhance your understanding of the importance of communication within a multidisciplinary team when proposing changes to patient care? How did your reflection-in-action influence the modifications you considered or your approach to communication? How does the ability to review and modify pathways relate to ensuring effective patient care in your future role?
- What aspects of pathway analysis and modification do you want to learn more about? How will you apply your understanding of patient pathways to future tasks and responsibilities? What next steps will you take to improve your skills in reviewing and suggesting modifications to clinical pathways? Do you need any guidance on effective communication strategies within the healthcare team?
Beyond action
- Reflecting on your initial thoughts about the patient pathway, have your views on its effectiveness or areas for improvement changed based on subsequent learning or exposure to other pathways?
- Have you been involved in other activities that required you to consider or modify clinical pathways? How did this earlier experience shape your approach in those situations?
- Have you discussed patient pathway development or modification with members of the wider care team since this training activity? Did their insights add to your understanding?
- Has your understanding of how different healthcare professionals contribute to and interact within a patient pathway deepened since this activity?
- How has the experience of considering communication strategies for pathway changes influenced your approach to communicating other complex information within the multidisciplinary team?
- What transferable skills, such as critical analysis, problem-solving, and communication, were developed through this activity, and how will these be relevant when you are more involved in service improvement initiatives?
- What further learning needs in the area of patient pathway design and implementation were identified, and how are you addressing these through your ongoing training?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Identify the causes of common respiratory symptoms, including breathlessness (dyspnoea), wheezing, coughing and chest pain. |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Evaluate the clinical history of a patient with respiratory disease or a sleep condition taking into account the history of the presenting complaint, past medical history, drug history, family history and social history. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Demonstrate a patient centered approach to practice, considering communication with patients and relatives, the patient’s experience, quality of life and the wider social impact on the patient and their family. |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Interpret the results of a clinical assessment and communicate effectively with respiratory scientists and non-respiratory health care colleagues. |