Training activity information
Details
Interpret and problem solve EQA for assays, included in general autoimmune serology EQA scheme including an example of investigating concerns with EQA performance
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.
Considerations
- Investigation concerns
- EQA on assays without EQA schemes
- Limitations of EQA schemes
- Root cause analysis
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 do you need to know about the specific EQA scheme relevant to this DTA before you begin? What kind of data or reports are usually provided within an EQA scheme, and how are these interpreted? What processes are typically involved in investigating concerns with EQA performance?
- What potential challenges might you anticipate when interpreting EQA data or problem-solving performance issues? How might you handle these? What do you hope to learn specifically about EQA interpretation and troubleshooting from this activity? What prior knowledge or experience do you have with EQA schemes or assay performance monitoring?
- How will you prepare for this activity? Will you review previous EQA reports or discuss potential scenarios with your training officer?
In action
- How are you approaching the interpretation of the EQA results? What decisions are you making as you analyse the data? What aspects of the interpretation feel intuitive based on your prior knowledge, and what requires more conscious effort?
- How effective are your initial steps in identifying the root cause of a potential issue? What challenges are you facing as you try to understand the EQA results or investigate a potential problem? What are you learning about EQA interpretation and troubleshooting as this activity unfolds? How does this EQA data connect to your existing knowledge of the assays included in the scheme?
- Do you need to seek support or guidance at any point during this activity? Are you working within your understanding of the relevant quality and accreditation standards as you interpret and problem-solve?
On action
- Begin by summarising the key aspects of interpreting the EQA data. What were the main results or patterns you observed? What specific concerns regarding EQA performance did you investigate? What were the key pieces of information or data you focused on? Did you notice any areas where your understanding was strong, or any areas where you felt less confident during the interpretation or problem-solving process?
- What skills or knowledge related to EQA interpretation and problem-solving did you develop or improve through this activity? Were there any unexpected challenges or successes during the activity? What did you learn from these unexpected elements? In what ways did your reflection-in-action (the decisions you made and adjustments you implemented during the activity) influence how the activity unfolded?
- What areas for continued development in EQA interpretation or problem-solving have been identified as a result of this activity? How can you apply the learning from this activity to future EQA assessments or when troubleshooting assay performance issues in your routine practice? What support or resources might you need to further develop in the areas identified through this reflection?
Beyond action
- Have you participated in interpreting EQA data for other assays or problem-solving technical issues? How do these experiences compare with your experience in this DTA? Have you approached subsequent EQA assessments or data interpretation tasks differently? How has your experience since influenced your wider practice in the laboratory? Consider how the learning from this DTA will support you with interpreting results or troubleshooting related to assays.
- Identify clear actions for continued development of the skills introduced through this activity. For example, do you need to seek further training on specific EQA schemes or problem-solving methodologies?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 2 |
Outcome
Interpret and report results for autoimmune investigations in the light of clinical details and other laboratory tests. |
| # 6 |
Outcome
Practice in accordance with quality and accreditation standards. |