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Transcript

Soft Skill: Problem Analysis

Introduction

As you embark on your journey through college and start contemplating your future career, it’s crucial to recognise the significance of soft skills. Among these, problem analysis stands out as one of the most vital. Regardless of your chosen field, being able to effectively analyse problems can significantly impact your career success and personal growth.

What is Problem Analysis?

Conclusion

Types of Problem Analysis

Why Problem Analysis is Crucial for Your Career

Developing Your Problem Analysis Skills

Learning Objectives

Using Bloom's Taxonomy, the learning objectives for this problem analysis activity, which reinforces problem-solving as a soft skill, can be categorised as follows:

By following these learning objectives, you will develop a thorough understanding of problem analysis and solution development, enabling you to effectively address challenges in clinical research or similar settings.

Creating

Evaluating

Understanding

Analysing

Applying

Remembering

Soft Skills Activity: Developing Problem Analysis Skills for Clinical Research Practitioners

This activity is designed to help undergraduate students develop the soft skill of Problem Analysis from the perspective of a Clinical Research Practitioner. The activity focuses on enhancing the ability to identify, assess, and solve problems that may arise during clinical research.

Scenario Analysis (10 minutes):

1

Read the Scenario:Imagine you are a Clinical Research Practitioner overseeing a clinical trial for a new medication. During the trial, you notice that there is a significant drop in participant retention, with many participants withdrawing from the study citing discomfort with the side effects they are experiencing. Some participants have also expressed concerns about the lack of clear communication regarding the risks associated with the trial.

Identify the Problems:In a document or on a piece of paper, list the key problems in this scenario. Consider both the immediate issues (e.g. participant withdrawal) and underlying issues (e.g. communication gaps, side effects). Think about how these problems could impact the overall success of the clinical trial.

Problem Prioritisation and Impact Assessment (8 minutes):

2

Prioritise the Problems:Rank the problems you identified in Step 1 based on their potential impact on the clinical trial's success. Consider factors such as participant safety, trial validity, regulatory compliance, and the ethical implications of continuing the study under current conditions.

Assess the Impact:For each problem, write a brief paragraph explaining why you ranked it in that particular order. Describe the potential consequences if the problem is not addressed, and how it could affect the outcome of the clinical trial.

Solution Development (10 minutes):

3

Brainstorm Solutions:For the top two problems you prioritised, brainstorm possible solutions. For each problem, list at least two potential solutions. Consider the feasibility of these solutions, their ethical implications, and how quickly they can be implemented.

Evaluate and Choose a Solution:Select the best solution for each of the top two problems. In a few sentences, explain why you chose these solutions and how you plan to implement them in the clinical trial. Make sure to address how your solution will mitigate the problem and improve the trial's overall outcomes.

Reflection (2 minutes):

4

Reflect on the Process:Take a moment to reflect on the problem analysis process you just completed. Consider how effective your approach was and whether there were any challenges in identifying, prioritising, or solving the problems. In one or two sentences, note down how you might improve your problem analysis skills in future clinical research scenarios.

Expected Outcome

By the end of this activity, you will have identified key problems in a clinical trial scenario, prioritised these problems based on their potential impact, and developed practical solutions. This exercise will enhance your ability to think critically and analytically about challenges that arise in clinical research and prepare you to address them effectively.This activity is designed to be completed individually and without the need for any additional materials, making it a focused and self-directed practice of problem analysis in a clinical research context.

Now that you have had a go at developing the soft skill, click next to see the model answers.

Scenario Analysis (10 minutes):

1

The Scenario:Imagine you are a Clinical Research Practitioner overseeing a clinical trial for a new medication. During the trial, you notice that there is a significant drop in participant retention, with many participants withdrawing from the study citing discomfort with the side effects they are experiencing. Some participants have also expressed concerns about the lack of clear communication regarding the risks associated with the trial.

Key Problems Identified:High Participant Withdrawal Rate: A significant number of participants are dropping out of the trial.Side Effects: Participants are experiencing discomfort due to side effects.Communication Gaps: Participants are concerned about the lack of clear communication regarding the risks associated with the trial.Potential Impact on Trial Validity: The reduction in participant numbers may threaten the statistical validity and overall outcomes of the trial.Ethical Concerns: Continuing the trial without addressing participants' concerns may raise ethical issue.

Problem Prioritisation and Impact Assessment (8 minutes):

2

Prioritise the Problems

  1. High Participant Withdrawal Rate
  2. Communication Gaps
  3. Side Effects
  4. Ethical Concerns
  5. Potential Impact on Trial Validity

Read Impact Assessment

Read Impact Assessment

Read Impact Assessment

Read Impact Assessment

Read Impact Assessment

Solution Development (10 minutes):

3

Read the Solution

Read the Solution

  1. High Participant Withdrawal Rate
  2. Communication Gaps

Reflection (2 minutes):

4

Reflection on the Process:Effectiveness: The problem analysis process was effective in identifying key issues and prioritising them based on their impact on the clinical trial. The approach allowed for a systematic assessment of the situation, leading to targeted solutions.Challenges: One challenge was ensuring that the solutions were feasible and could be implemented quickly enough to make a difference in the trial's outcome.Future Improvement: In future scenarios, I would focus more on gathering initial data to better understand the root causes of the problems, which could lead to more tailored and effective solutions.This model answer demonstrates the ability to identify, prioritise, and solve problems in a clinical research setting, highlighting the importance of critical thinking, clear communication, and participant support in maintaining the integrity and success of a clinical trial.

Well done!

You have completed this soft skills activity. We hope you have enjoyed the programe and picked up some new skills and information!

To develop your problem analysis skills, focus on building strong critical thinking, data collection, and evaluation abilities. Practise critical thinking by questioning assumptions, analysing information objectively, and considering multiple perspectives. Enhance your data collection skills by gathering relevant information from various sources, including research, observations, and feedback. Develop your evaluation skills by assessing the quality and reliability of the information and identifying key insights. Practice Root Cause Analysis by continuously asking "why" to dig deeper into problems and uncover their underlying causes. Improve your SWOT Analysis skills by regularly evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to different situations. Additionally, seek feedback from peers, mentors, and supervisors to understand how others perceive your problem analysis abilities and address areas for improvement. Reflect on your problem analysis techniques regularly to ensure they are effective and adapt them as needed.

  • Identify key problems faced in the clinical research scenario (e.g., high participant withdrawal rate, side effects, communication gaps).
  • Recall relevant concepts and principles related to clinical trials and participant management.

Solution 1: Enhanced Participant Support ProgramDescription: Implement a support program that includes regular check-ins with participants, offering emotional and psychological support to help them manage their participation in the trial.Justification: This approach could reduce withdrawals by making participants feel more supported and valued, thus addressing some of the discomfort or concerns they might have.Solution 2: Adjusting Trial ProtocolDescription: Modify the trial protocol to address the most common side effects and provide additional resources to manage them.Justification: By directly addressing the physical causes of withdrawal, this solution could help retain participants who might otherwise leave due to discomfort.Chosen Solution: Enhanced Participant Support ProgramReason: This solution directly addresses the immediate concern of participant withdrawal by providing support, potentially reducing dropout rates while maintaining the integrity of the trial.

Side Effects:Impact: While side effects are often expected in clinical trials, they need to be managed carefully. If not addressed, they could lead to adverse outcomes for participants, which could result in additional withdrawals and raise ethical concerns.Consequences: Unmanaged side effects could lead to serious health complications for participants and possible legal action against the research team.

  • Differentiate between the severity and impact of each problem on the trial’s success.
  • Analyse how the proposed solutions address the root causes of the problems and their potential effectiveness.

  • Design a comprehensive plan that includes prioritised solutions and actionable steps to resolve the problems identified in the clinical trial scenario.
  • Create a reflection on the problem analysis process, including insights gained and potential improvements for future problem-solving efforts.

There are various forms of problem analysis, each playing a crucial role in different contexts. Root Cause Analysis involves identifying the underlying causes of a problem rather than just addressing the symptoms, essential for creating long-term solutions. SWOT Analysis includes examining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to a specific situation, important for strategic planning and decision-making. Gap Analysis involves comparing actual performance with potential or desired performance, crucial for identifying areas of improvement. Cost-Benefit Analysis includes evaluating the costs and benefits of different solutions to determine the most effective course of action. Scenario Analysis involves exploring different possible future scenarios and their potential impacts, vital for planning and risk management.

Ethical Concerns:Impact: Ethical concerns must be taken seriously to maintain the integrity of the trial and the trust of participants. Addressing these concerns is essential to ensure the trial is conducted according to accepted ethical standards.Consequences: Ignoring ethical concerns could lead to regulatory scrutiny, loss of funding, and reputational damage.

High Participant Withdrawal Rate: Impact: This is the most immediate threat to the trial's success. If too many participants withdraw, the study could be underpowered, meaning it won't have enough data to draw meaningful conclusions. This could waste resources and time, and potentially delay the development of a needed medication.Consequences: Failure to address this could result in the trial being terminated early, with significant financial and reputational costs.

  • Explain the impact of each identified problem on the overall success of the clinical trial.
  • Summarise the relationships between different problems and how they affect trial outcomes.

Potential Impact on Trial Validity:Impact: While important, this issue is a secondary concern that arises from the others. If the above issues are addressed, the trial's validity can be maintained.Consequences: If not managed, the loss of participants and data quality could compromise the trial’s outcomes, making it difficult to achieve reliable results.

Problem analysis is a foundational soft skill that underpins your ability to succeed in any career. By developing your critical thinking, data collection, and evaluation skills, you will be better equipped to make informed decisions, drive innovation, enhance productivity, and adapt to changing circumstances. Start honing your problem analysis skills now, and you’ll set yourself up for a successful and fulfilling professional journey.

  • Develop solutions to address the identified problems, incorporating strategies to manage participant withdrawal and improve communication.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply problem-solving techniques to real-world scenarios in clinical research.

  • Assess the feasibility and potential impact of different solutions on improving participant retention and communication.
  • Critique the proposed solutions to identify strengths and areas for improvement in addressing the trial's challenges.

Communication Gaps:Impact: Poor communication can exacerbate participant concerns, leading to more withdrawals and ethical issues. Clear communication is critical for ensuring that participants fully understand the risks and benefits of the trial.Consequences: Continued communication failures could lead to loss of trust, further increasing dropout rates and potentially leading to legal issues.

Problem analysis plays a fundamental role in decision-making, innovation, performance, productivity, and adaptability. A strong ability to analyse problems helps build credibility and trust with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders by demonstrating your capacity to identify and address issues effectively. It enhances career advancement opportunities, as employers value individuals who can think critically and develop sound solutions to complex problems. Problem analysis boosts performance and productivity by enabling you to tackle challenges efficiently and make informed decisions. Additionally, being skilled in problem analysis supports innovation by encouraging creative thinking and the exploration of multiple solutions. It also improves adaptability by equipping you to handle unexpected issues and changes proactively.

Solution 1: Develop a Comprehensive Risk Communication StrategyDescription: Create a clear and concise communication plan that details the risks associated with the trial and ensure it is conveyed to participants through multiple channels (e.g., one-on-one discussions, written materials, regular updates).Justification: This would help ensure participants are fully informed, which could reduce anxiety and prevent misunderstandings.Solution 2: Establish a Participant Feedback MechanismDescription: Implement a system for participants to provide feedback about the trial process and their experiences, with quick follow-up actions taken by the research team.Justification: Allowing participants to voice concerns and get immediate responses can improve communication and build trust.Chosen Solution: Develop a Comprehensive Risk Communication StrategyReason: Clear and proactive communication is crucial in managing expectations and preventing misunderstandings, which can directly influence participant retention and the overall success of the trial.

Problem analysis is the process of understanding and dissecting complex issues to identify their root causes and develop effective solutions. It involves critical thinking, data collection, and evaluation, as well as the ability to break down problems into manageable parts. Problem analysis requires a combination of analytical skills, creativity, and logical reasoning, allowing you to approach challenges systematically and efficiently.