Health Technology Innovation —
Training activity: 15

Details

Draft an outline business case, including formal options appraisal, for a new model of service delivery, practice or novel technology to improve the  patient pathway. Draft a plan for implementation.

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 are the intended outcomes of the training activity?

• How have you reviewed the learning outcomes to ensure you are prepared to engage in the translation pathway and support the safe introduction of new technology into clinical service?
• How do you plan to demonstrate that your options appraisal critically evaluates changes based on their impact on patient care, safety, and the wider healthcare system?
• What essential information regarding financial frameworks, procurement policies, or current pathway bottlenecks do you need to know before you begin drafting the business case?

What do you anticipate you will learn from the experience?

• What specific insights do you hope to gain regarding the balance between clinical need and operational feasibility when selecting a novel technology?
• In what ways do you expect this activity to improve your ability to engage stakeholders to address specific service needs?
• Thinking about what you already know, which part of the implementation plan (e.g., risk management or resource allocation) do you find most complex to navigate?

What actions will you take in preparation for the experience?

• What points have you prepared to discuss with your Training Officer to gain clarity on the required depth of the formal options appraisal?
• What possible challenges have you identified—such as conflicting stakeholder priorities or limited data on the novel technology—and how do you plan to handle them?
• How have you identified your feelings about embarking on this task, particularly regarding the responsibility of proposing a new model of service delivery?

In action

What are you doing?

• How are you currently approaching the options appraisal, and why have you chosen these specific criteria for evaluation?
• What decisions are you making as the business case progresses to ensure the proposed solution is safe and effective?
• Which aspects of your drafting feel intuitive, and which—such as financial forecasting—require more conscious, focused effort?

How are you progressing with the activity?

• How effective are your current actions in achieving a persuasive and robust implementation plan?
• What challenges are you facing while engaging stakeholders, and what are you learning from these interactions as they unfold?
• How does this activity connect to your existing knowledge of the technology management lifecycle and service improvement?

How are you adapting to the situation?

• Are there alternative service models or technical solutions you should consider mid-appraisal to better address the identified clinical need?
• What support or guidance might you need from a senior manager or financial lead right now to resolve an ambiguity in the implementation plan?
• How are you ensuring that your proposed changes remain strictly within your professional scope of practice?

On action

What did you notice?

• How would you summarise the key technical and operational points of the business case and implementation plan?

What did you learn from the activity?

• What specific skills or knowledge did you develop regarding the translation pathway for healthcare technology?
• In what ways did your reflection-in-action—such as adjusting the communication style for a specific stakeholder—influence the final outcome of the case?
• How does the experience of building this integrated service narrative relate to the requirements for your future post-programme practice?

What will you take from the experience moving forward?

• What areas for continued development in financial appraisal or strategic planning have you identified as a result of this activity?
• How can you apply the learning from this business case (e.g., more effective stakeholder engagement) to your routine practice?
• What are the specific ‘next steps’ you will now take, such as seeking feedback on your options appraisal, to support the assimilation of what you have learned?

Beyond action

Have you revisited the experiences?

• How have you re-evaluated your initial implementation strategy in light of subsequent peer feedback or learning?
• Comparing this experience with your Observed Training Activities (OTAs), what specific observable behaviours in stakeholder liaison and professional critique have you now fully assimilated?
• In what ways has discussing with colleagues regarding your implementation challenges changed your view on how to navigate complex healthcare systems?

How have these experiences impacted upon your current practice?

• How has this business case activity supported your development in wider areas, such as writing interpretative technical reports or presenting data to a multidisciplinary team (MDT)?
• How have you developed your skills since the original experience, particularly in evaluating the clinical impact of novel technology?
• In what ways has the cumulative learning from this activity supported your preparation for in-person assessments, such as Case-based Discussions (CBD)?

How might these experiences contribute towards your future practice?

• What transferable skills in strategic planning and system exploration have you developed that will help you lead future service improvements?
• What clear actions for continued professional development have you identified to ensure your skills in technology translation remain current and safe?

Relevant learning outcomes

#	Outcome
# 1	Outcome Engage in the translation pathway for healthcare technology developments.
# 5	Outcome Critically evaluate changes and solutions to address service needs, considering the impact on patient care and safety and the wider healthcare system,
# 6	Outcome Support safe and effective introduction of healthcare technology developments into service.
# 7	Outcome Employ and adapt communication skills to effectively engage stakeholders in the design, development, and introduction of solutions to address service needs.