Training activity information
Details
Write or review user information for allergy testing
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
- ISO15189 requirements for examination
- SOPs and quality management
- Document control process and tools
- Internal service development and review processes
- Process for informing users of changes to service
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 specific aspects of creating clear and accessible user information for allergy testing are important to focus on? What do you aim to achieve with this user information in terms of improving patient understanding and the appropriate use of allergy testing?
- Consider the target audience for the information – what is their likely level of understanding of medical terminology? Think about the key information that users need to know, such as the purpose of the test, how to prepare, what to expect during the test, and the limitations of the results.
- Consider the specific insights you hope to gain from writing or reviewing this user information. Will you learn more about how to communicate complex scientific information in a clear and accessible way?
- Consider possible areas of confusion for users and how to address these in the information. Identify how you feel about this task.
In action
- Pay attention to your actions as you write or review the user information. How are you structuring the information? Why are you including specific details and omitting others? What decisions are you making as you consider the target audience and the purpose of the information? How are you ensuring clarity and accuracy? What aspects of writing or reviewing this information feel intuitive, and what requires more conscious effort?
- What challenges are you facing in ensuring the information is both comprehensive and easy to understand? Are there technical aspects that are difficult to explain in lay terms? What can you learn from this process as it unfolds about communicating important information about laboratory tests to users? How does creating or reviewing this information connect to your understanding of patient care and the role of the laboratory in providing accessible information?
- Are there alternative ways you could phrase certain explanations or structure the information to improve clarity? What support or guidance might you need in this moment, or immediately after, such as feedback from colleagues or examples of best practice for user information?
On action
- What were the key messages you aimed to convey? What were the existing strengths or weaknesses if you were reviewing?
- What skills or knowledge did you develop or improve through this activity? Were there any particular challenges in simplifying the information or ensuring accuracy? What did you learn from these? In what ways did any reflection-in-action (during the activity) influence your writing or review process?
- What areas for continued development have been identified and what are the next steps? How can you apply the learning from this activity to future tasks involving the creation or review of user information or other forms of communication? IWhat support or resources might you need to further develop in the areas identified, such as access to guidelines on patient information development?
Beyond action
- Have you had opportunities to create or review other patient-facing materials since this activity? How did you apply your previous learning?
- Engage in discussions with colleagues or service users (where appropriate and ethical) about the effectiveness of patient information materials. Have you gained new insights into how to make information more user-friendly?
- How have you applied the skills gained in this activity to other writing tasks, such as reports or summaries for different audiences? Has your awareness of the importance of clear communication increased?
- Identify the transferable skills you are developing, and clear actions for continued development in this area, such as seeking feedback on your written materials and reviewing guidelines on producing effective patient information.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 3 |
Outcome
Summarise the services provided by immunology laboratories and advise other healthcare professionals on their application in patient management. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Explain the limitations of laboratory tests for allergic disease and associated in vivo. |
| # 6 |
Outcome
Practice in partnership with relevant clinical specialisms in the investigation of allergic disease. |