Training activity information
Details
Evaluate a local protocol for advanced diagnostic testing against national and international guidelines and make recommendations for practice
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 is the purpose of evaluating a local protocol against external guidelines? What should this evaluation identify?
- What specific national and international guidelines are relevant to the advanced diagnostic testing protocol you will be evaluating?
- What information do you need to gather (e.g., the local protocol, relevant guidelines) before starting this activity?
- What do you hope to learn about the process of protocol evaluation in healthcare?
- How will you improve your understanding of national and international standards for advanced diagnostic testing?
- How do you expect this activity to develop your critical appraisal skills?
- What do you already know about the local protocol and relevant guidelines?
- Will you obtain a copy of the local protocol for the advanced diagnostic test?
- Will you identify and access relevant national and international guidelines?
- Will you consider a framework or structured approach for your evaluation (e.g., comparing sections of the protocol to specific guideline recommendations)?
- What are your initial thoughts on potential areas where local protocols might deviate from national guidelines?
In action
- How are you structuring your evaluation of the local protocol? Are you comparing it section by section with the guidelines?
- What criteria are you using to determine if the local protocol aligns with national and international standards?
- What decisions are you making about which aspects of the protocol require the most critical evaluation?
- Are you finding clear matches or discrepancies between the local protocol and the guidelines? What challenges are you facing in this comparison?
- Are you identifying areas where the local protocol could be improved or updated based on the guidelines?
- What are you learning about the specific advanced diagnostic testing procedure as you evaluate its protocol?
- If you encounter conflicting information between different guidelines, how are you deciding which to prioritise?
- Are you considering the practical implications of implementing the guideline recommendations in your local setting?
- If the local protocol deviates significantly from the guidelines, how are you formulating your recommendations for change?
- Are you ensuring that your evaluation and recommendations are within your scope of practice and contribute to improved patient care?
On action
- How are you structuring your evaluation of the local protocol? Are you comparing it section by section with the guidelines?
- What criteria are you using to determine if the local protocol aligns with national and international standards?
- What decisions are you making about which aspects of the protocol require the most critical evaluation?
- Are you finding clear matches or discrepancies between the local protocol and the guidelines? What challenges are you facing in this comparison?
- Are you identifying areas where the local protocol could be improved or updated based on the guidelines?
- What are you learning about the specific advanced diagnostic testing procedure as you evaluate its protocol?
- If you encounter conflicting information between different guidelines, how are you deciding which to prioritise?
- Are you considering the practical implications of implementing the guideline recommendations in your local setting?
- If the local protocol deviates significantly from the guidelines, how are you formulating your recommendations for change?
- Are you ensuring that your evaluation and recommendations are within your scope of practice and contribute to improved patient care?
Beyond action
- Have you looked back at the local protocol, the guidelines you compared it against, and your recommendations? Have there been any updates to the protocol or the guidelines since?
- Have you discussed this evaluation with colleagues or your training officer? Have their insights broadened your understanding of the challenges and considerations in aligning local practice with national standards?
- Considering other protocol evaluations you may have undertaken, what common themes or challenges have you noticed in ensuring adherence to best practice?
- Has this activity enhanced your ability to critically evaluate clinical protocols and guidelines in other areas of your work?
- Are you now more aware of the importance of evidence-based practice and the role of national and international guidelines in shaping local procedures?
- Has this experience improved your skills in formulating clear and justified recommendations for practice changes?
- What transferable skills, such as critical analysis and the ability to synthesise information from different sources, did you develop that will be valuable in future service development or audit activities?
- How will you continue to engage with and evaluate relevant guidelines to ensure your practice remains evidence-based?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Prepare equipment and the environment in order to undertake advanced respiratory diagnostic investigations. |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Prepare patients to undergo advanced respiratory diagnostic investigations. |
| # 3 |
Outcome
Select the appropriate diagnostic assessment based on referral criteria. |