Training activity information
Details
Identify potential haematological malignancies from routine flow cytometry immunology investigations
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
- Identification of aberrant cell population
- Flow cytometry in diagnostic guidelines for haematological malignancies
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
- Consider what it means to ‘identify’ potential malignancies. What prior knowledge or skills related to flow cytometry and haematological malignancies are relevant? What are the typical routine flow cytometry panels used in your department, and what information can they provide in this situation?
- Consider the specific insights you hope to gain from engaging with this activity. Think about what you already know about identifying potential haematological malignancies from flow cytometry data. What are your current strengths and areas where you would like to improve?
- Consider possible challenges you might face during the activity. Think about how you might handle these challenges.
In action
- How are you approaching the flow cytometry data? What specific markers or cell populations are you focusing on and why? What decisions are you making as you analyse the data? Which aspects of identifying potential malignancies from flow cytometry data feel straightforward, and which require more deliberate thought and referencing of your knowledge?
- How confident are you in identifying potential malignancies based on the data presented? What difficulties are you encountering in interpreting the flow cytometry plots or identifying aberrant populations? How does this flow cytometry data relate to your current understanding of normal and abnormal haematopoiesis and relevant immunology principles?
On action
- What were your initial interpretations regarding the presence or absence of potential haematological malignancies and why? Were there any aspects of the data or the identification process that particularly caught your attention, either expected or unexpected?
- Did you improve your ability to recognise flow cytometric patterns associated with potential haematological malignancies? Did you encounter any ambiguities or challenges in the data? What did you learn from navigating these difficulties? How did your real-time analysis and decision-making during the activity (reflect-in-action) shape your final identification of potential malignancies?
- How will you apply the knowledge gained from this activity when analysing future flow cytometry data? What areas of development has this training activity highlighted and how will you address these?
Beyond action
- Have you had opportunities to review other flow cytometry with aberrant cell populations since this DTA? Have you re-evaluated your approach to identifying potential malignancies based on new knowledge or experiences? Have you discussed your approach to identifying these malignancies with colleagues or your training officer? Has their feedback or alternative perspectives changed how you view the situation or the data involved?
- How has this DTA contributed to your overall ability to analyse flow cytometry data?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Perform laboratory investigations on samples from patients with suspected haematological malignancies. |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Analyse, interpret and report on laboratory investigations for haematological malignancies, including recognition of abnormal results. |
| # 3 |
Outcome
Summarise the limitations of methods used to aid diagnosis of haematological malignancies. |