General Flashcards
What is PAT testing?
Portable appliance testing - when electrical appliances are routinely checked for safety
Before we change anything at all in the lab, i.e. equipment, reagents, anything on databases etc what do we have to do?
Full impact assessment - as these changes may upset processes downstream
Importance of IQC and EQA?
IQC - ensures testing has worked correctly and that no contamination has taken place.
EQA - assesses that the lab is meeting correct standard in terms of analysis and reporting and ensures that the lab is achieving the correct result
What does good scientific practice set out?
Standards of behaviour and practice that must be achieved and maintained in the delivery of work activities and the provision of care by healthcare associates/practitioners/scientists by the academy of healthcare science
What are the 5 domains of good scientific practice?
Professional, scientific and clinical practice, as well as research/development/innovation and clinical leadership
What does CPD stand for?
Continuing professional development
Why is CPD important?
To continually develop my knowledge and skills as a scientist. It also allows me to interact with colleagues/individuals from other departments etc and allows me to better understand the impact that HCS has in the NHS
What is the most important thing to remember about the work that we do?
That there is a patient at the centre of what we are doing, and every decision we make about testing/analysis/reporting needs to be the one that benefits that the patient the most
What does governance mean?
The action or manner of an organisation
What does information governance mean?
The management of information at an organisation. It balances the use and security of information.
What is research?
Systematic investigation undertaken to establish facts and increase knowledge
What do they mean by innovation?
New method/technique/product
Name some leadership skills
Communication, motivation (to inspire), delegating, trusting, creativity, feedback, responsibility, commitment, approachable
Is reflection important in our job?
Yes, it is key to learning. Learning about what I am good at, as well as things I can improve on. It enables us not to make the same mistake twice if something has gone wrong
What is the main role of UKAS?
It is the UK’s national accreditation body and is responsible for determining, in the public interest, the technical competence and integrity or organisations such as those offering testing, calibration and certification services
What is the NHS Constitution?
English. Sets out principles and values of the NHS. What it wants to achieve, how it wants to operate fairly and effectively and the rights to which patients/public and staff are entitled
Why is feedback important?
It helps improvement
Communication can be written and electronic, verbal and non-verbal give examples
Letters (to patients, but also between medical professionals i.e. GP and consultant), information leaflets of disorders/testing, emails, information websites, body language
Effective communication between a healthcare professional and a patient can help in a number of ways explain
Helps identify problems accurately
Increases patient satisfaction
Enhances treatment adherence
Reduces patient distress and anxiety
Different question types that can be used in a communication
Directed question
Open question
Closed question
Example of a directed question
“Is there anything that makes the headache worse?”
Example of an open question
“Tell me why you’ve came to see me?”
Example of a closed question
These want a specific yes or no answer
Effective feedback must be:
Specific, accurate, objective, timely, usable, desired by the receiver and checked for understanding
Example of a feedback model is SMART - what does this stand for?
S - Specific M - Measurable A - Achievable R - Relevant T - Timely
The feedback sandwich is another feedback model
Begin with positive feedback, introduce constructive/negative feedback and finish with a positive statement
What is an action plan?
A written framework to show how you will improve some aspect of your work over a period of time
What should an action plan entail?
Changes hope to make, manageable steps to make the changes, who will be involved, what evidence of success is required, how changes will be monitored
Can SMART be used in terms of an action plan also?
Yes, goals set out in action plan should be SMART
Why is public engagement so important in science?
Increases trust (science often seen as remote/distant), encourages people to get involved in research, accountability (lots of science is publically funded so public has right to know what their money is used for), encourages young people to develop careers in science
When presenting to an audience what is the most important thing to remember about your choice of communication?
Tailor it to the audience
Name some barriers to effective communication?
Jargon, emotional barriers/taboos (i.e things people don’t want to talk about), no interest/distractions, language differences, cultural differences, physical disabilities
Explain some factors in effective teamwork
All understand objectives and working towards same outcome, want to learn from each other, communication is good between members, each member has a defined role - no duplication/no fallouts, workload spread out
What is prejudice?
An unfair assumption based on an aspect of their appearance/personality
Guidance and laws relating to patient confidentiality
GSP and NHS code of practice of protecting patient confidentiality and data protection act (how data should be used/stored)
Guidance and laws relating to information governance
Data protection act and there is a document on information governance in NHS Scotland
Guidance and laws relating to informed consent
GSP
Guidance and laws relating to equality and diversity
Equality act - protects people from discrimination in workplace and wider society
Guidance and laws relating to fitness to practice
HCPC’s approach to fitness to practice
Ways to demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development
Perform tasks, seek feedback from colleagues, critically self reflect these should all lead to improvements in performance
How often should we as healthcare scientists reflect and ask for feedback?
Reflection and learning from feedback should be continuous
What does reflective practice allow you to do?
Analyse a situation, continuously learn and improve
Step’s in Gibbs reflective cycle (a good model of reflection)
Description (what happened?), thoughts/feelings, evaluation (good/bad about experience), analysis, conclusion, action plan
Different methods of reflection?
Reflective journal/peer group reflection
