Clinical Measurement and ICT

Module details

Title

Clinical Measurement and ICT

Type

Rotation

Module code

SPE300

Credits

10

Requirement

Compulsory

Aim of this module

To ensure that the trainee can apply analytical and judgement skills to novel or complex clinical measurements, implement new clinical measurement solutions, and understand and configure novel ICT hardware and software solutions safely within the clinical environment.

Competencies

#	Learning outcome	Competency	Action
# 1	Learning outcome 1	Competency Set up equipment for taking clinical measurements.	Action View
# 2	Learning outcome 1	Competency Control infection risks in accordance with departmental protocols.	Action View
# 3	Learning outcome 1	Competency Obtain a suitably completed request form, the greet patient, and check patient identity and recent clinical history.	Action View
# 4	Learning outcome 1	Competency Explain the procedure for the clinical measurement, address any procedure-related questions and gain informed consent.	Action View
# 5	Learning outcome 1	Competency Undertake clinical measurements in the patient environment.	Action View
# 6	Learning outcome 1,2	Competency Analyse data and report on the use of specific measurements (particularly in terms of accuracy, reproducibility, bias, specificity and sensitivity).	Action View
# 7	Learning outcome 1	Competency Recognise technical artefacts and deterioration in equipment performance.	Action View
# 8	Learning outcome 1	Competency Critically appraise reports from a novel or complex clinical measurement.	Action View
# 9	Learning outcome 1	Competency Undertake a literature review of the scientific and clinical evidence base that underpins one of the clinical measurement procedures.	Action View
# 10	Learning outcome 2,3	Competency Analyse, summarise and present complex data using computer software, such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases and online references sources for clinical and scientific applications.	Action View
# 11	Learning outcome 4	Competency Participate in the implementation of ICT components in a controlled fashion, taking into account the impact on existing facilities and clinical service.	Action View
# 12	Learning outcome 4	Competency Participate in the maintenance of protective measures for ICT systems, including disaster measures, anti- virus protection, maintenance, updating, firewalls and virtual servers/networks.	Action View
# 13	Learning outcome 4	Competency Specify, design, develop and test a small database, web application or image processing solution.	Action View

Assessments

You must complete:

• 1 case-based discussion(s)
• 1 of the following DOPS/ OCEs:

Undertake under supervision a clinical measurement	DOPS
Undertake and interpret statistical treatment of clinical data	DOPS
Maintain PC software installation and local area network	DOPS
Manipulate a spreadsheet used to calculate a clinical parameter	DOPS

Learning outcomes

1. Participate in clinical measurement procedures effectively and safely with due regard to the patient, health and safety, data security and governance in ICT within the context of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering. 
2. Apply statistical techniques to clinical measurement data and interpret the outcome of the statistical tests.
3. Manipulate data using a spreadsheet environment and an appropriate programming language.
4. Use of configuration control in relation to PC software installations and local area networks, including the installation of systems and applications. 

Learning outcomes

1.   Describe the basis of clinical measurement.

Indicative content

Information and Communication Technology

• Range of general purpose computer software in common use, including spreadsheets, flat-file and structured databases, online reference and collaborative resources
• Computing applied clinically, including the additional safeguards when ‘the computer acts as a clinical device’ and the role of the Medicine and Healthcare products  Regulatory  Agency  (MHRA),  the  Food  and Drugs Administration (FDA) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and their role in CE Marking
• Introduction to the concept of the software life cycle and the tools and frameworks used to specify, develop, validate and verify clinical software
• Basic principles relating to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) security, including firewalls, virus protection, encryption, server access and data security
• Information Governance, including NHS security policies
• Data exchange standards and be aware of some of the common standards, e.g. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) and Healthcare Level 7 (HL7)
• Networking systems in common clinical use and be aware of the relevant local trust information technology policies
• Basic principles of applicable legislation and of local policies, including the Data Protection Act, Computer Misuse Act and Freedom of Information Act 

Clinical Measurement

• The physiology   of   pressure,    flow,   temperature,    pH,    blood   gases, respiratory function and electrophysiology
• The physical principles underpinning these measurements
• Transducers for physiological measurement
• Calibration, traceability of standards
• Sources of error: random, systematic and human
• Sensitivity and specificity of measurement techniques
• Relationship of measurement results to clinical pathology, data processing and interpretation 

 

Activities

• Observe the work of the department and discuss the role of ICT hardware, software and network components within the context of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering with your training officer.
• Observe and participate in a range of clinical measurements (which may cover electrophysiology, pressure and/or flow) and reflect on how each contributes to the care pathway of the patient, attending multidisciplinary team meetings where practicable.
• Observe the administration of a local area network (user specification, initial set-up, shared resources, security issues) and reflect on the impact and risks of local area networks within the department and wider NHS with your training officer.
• Observe and assist in programming, using an appropriate language (e.g. MS VB, MS VBA-Excel, Matlab, Java) to analyse and report clinical measurement or other results.