Training activity information
Details
Perform and document a feasibility study for a healthcare technology development from a functional specification.
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 assess the technical and clinical feasibility of the proposed technology?
- What essential knowledge regarding the wider healthcare system, patient safety, and operational constraints do you need to acquire before you begin evaluating this specific solution?
- How do you plan to demonstrate that your evaluation critically considers the impact on patient care and follows national safety standards?
What do you anticipate you will learn from the experience?
- What specific insights do you hope to gain regarding how a functional specification is successfully translated into a viable clinical tool?
- In what ways do you expect this activity to improve your ability to identify potential failures or barriers within the healthcare system before a technology is introduced?
What actions will you take in preparation for the experience?
- What specific points have you prepared to discuss with your Training Officer or project lead to gain a clear understanding of the success criteria for this feasibility study?
- What possible technical or financial challenges have you identified, and how do you plan to handle them if they arise during your appraisal?
- How have you identified your feelings about taking on the professional responsibility of evaluating a solution that could significantly impact patient safety?
In action
What are you doing?
- How are you currently approaching the evaluation of the functional specification, and why have you chosen this specific method for testing technical viability?
- What logic-based decisions are you making regarding the technology’s alignment with service needs and the wider healthcare system?
- Which parts of the feasibility analysis feel intuitive to you, and which aspects require more conscious effort to ensure data integrity and safety are prioritised?
How are you progressing with the activity?
- How effective are your current actions in moving toward a definitive conclusion regarding the feasibility of the development?
- What challenges are you facing as the study unfolds, and what are you learning about the complexities of technology translation in a clinical environment?
- How does this live activity connect to your existing knowledge of healthcare engineering and service delivery?
How are you adapting to the situation?
- Are there alternative analytical models or data sources you should consider while in the middle of the study to make your findings more robust?
- What immediate support or guidance might you need from a senior engineer or clinical lead right now to resolve an ambiguity in the technical spec?
- How are you ensuring that your recommendations remain strictly within your professional scope of practice as you critique this potential solution?
On action
What did you notice?
- How would you summarise the key technical and clinical points of the feasibility study, specifically highlighting whether the solution effectively addresses the identified service needs?
What did you learn from the activity?
- What specific skills or knowledge did you develop regarding the ability to critically evaluate changes and solutions for the healthcare system?
- In what ways did your reflection-in-action during the analysis—such as questioning an assumption about patient safety—influence the final feasibility report?
- How does the experience of performing this appraisal relate to the requirements for your future post-programme practice as a Clinical Scientist?
What will you take from the experience moving forward?
- What specific areas for continued development in strategic technology appraisal or impact assessment have you identified as a result of this activity?
- How can you apply the learning from this feasibility study (e.g., more rigorous safety critiques) to your routine practice in the department?
- What are the specific ‘next steps’ you will now take, such as mastering a new risk-analysis tool, to support the assimilation of what you have learned?
Beyond action
Have you revisited the experiences?
- How have you re-evaluated your initial feasibility conclusions in light of subsequent learning or peer feedback regarding the wider healthcare system?
- Comparing this experience with your Observed Training Activities (OTAs), what specific observable behaviours in technology translation and professional critique have you now fully assimilated?
- In what ways have discussing this experience with peers regarding your feasibility findings changed your view on how to navigate complex or ambiguous service requirements?
How have these experiences impacted upon your current practice?
- How has this feasibility activity supported your development in wider areas, such as writing interpretative technical reports or presenting strategic advice to the MDT?
- How have you developed your skills in evaluating the clinical impact of technology since the original experience?
- In what ways has the cumulative learning from this activity supported your preparation for ‘in-person’ assessments, such as Case-based Discussions?
How might these experiences contribute towards your future practice?
- What transferable skills in system exploration and digital innovation have you developed that will help you evaluate and adopt new technologies in the future?
- How will your mastery of critically appraising healthcare solutions help you contribute to future service improvements and innovations as a Healthcare Scientist?
- What clear actions for continued professional development have you identified to ensure your expertise in the translation pathway remains safe and of high quality?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Engage in the translation pathway for healthcare technology developments. |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Generate a specification, develop a design and prototype, and assess the feasibility of a healthcare technology development. |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Critically evaluate changes and solutions to address service needs, considering the impact on patient care and safety and the wider healthcare system, |