Training activity information
Details
Resolve a technical issue for two of the following:
- Serum electrophoresis
- Immunofixation
- Turbidimetry /nephelometry
- Flow cytometry
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
- Limitations of techniques
- Critical thinking and troubleshooting
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 are common technical issues that can arise with serum electrophoresis, immunofixation, turbidimetry/nephelometry, and flow cytometry? For the two techniques you will focus on, what are the critical steps in the procedures and what are common points of failure? What troubleshooting guides or resources are available in the laboratory for these techniques? Who are the key personnel to consult if you encounter a technical issue that you cannot resolve independently?
- Think about your current experience in troubleshooting laboratory equipment and assays. In which of these techniques do you feel most and least confident in identifying and resolving issues?
- Consider possible technical issues that might arise for the chosen techniques. . How can you prepare yourself to approach these challenges systematically and effectively?
In action
- When faced with the technical issue, what initial steps are you taking to understand the problem and why? What information are you gathering ? What decisions/actions are you making as you troubleshoot the issue and why?
- How effective are your troubleshooting steps proving to be in identifying and resolving the technical issue? What indicators are you using to assess your progress? What difficulties are you encountering in diagnosing the problem or implementing a solution? What immediate learning points are emerging about the potential points of failure for these techniques and effective troubleshooting strategies? How does this technical issue relate to your understanding of the principles of operation and critical components of the affected equipment or assay?
- If your initial attempts to resolve the issue are unsuccessful, what alternative approaches and resources are you considering? Are you escalating to a different level of support?
On action
- What were the specific technical issues you encountered for each of the chosen techniques? What were the initial symptoms or observations? What steps did you take to troubleshoot and resolve each issue? What was the final resolution for each technical problem?
- Did you improve your problem-solving skills for technical issues related to serum electrophoresis, immunofixation, turbidimetry/nephelometry, and/or flow cytometry? What specific troubleshooting techniques proved most effective? Did you gain a better understanding of the potential points of failure for these instruments or assays? Were there any unexpected causes for the technical issues? Were there any alternative approaches you considered?
- What specific technical troubleshooting skills for these techniques do you feel you need to further develop? How will you apply the knowledge and experience gained from resolving these issues to future technical challenges? What resources will you consult in the future when faced with technical problems? Are there any preventative measures or checks you can implement to minimise the recurrence of similar technical issues?
Beyond action
- Have you encountered similar technical issues with these instruments or assays since this DTA? Did your previous experience help you to resolve these subsequent issues more efficiently? Have you re-evaluated your initial troubleshooting steps based on new experiences? What alternative approaches might you consider in the future? When reviewing your reflections across different DTAs involving practical work, have you noticed an improvement in your technical problem-solving skills? What common lessons have you learned from these experiences? Have you discussed the technical issues you resolved with colleagues? Did they offer any further insights into potential causes or alternative solutions?
- Has this DTA improved your confidence and competence in troubleshooting technical problems with these specific laboratory techniques? Can you recall instances where the skills and knowledge gained from this DTA have enabled you to independently resolve technical issues ? How has this experience contributed to your overall understanding of laboratory equipment and processes ?
- What transferable skills did you develop that will be valuable in addressing technical challenges in various laboratory settings in the future? What specific technical troubleshooting skills do you aim to develop further? What actions will you take to enhance your expertise ?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Perform laboratory investigations on samples from patients with suspected haematological malignancies. |
| # 3 |
Outcome
Summarise the limitations of methods used to aid diagnosis of haematological malignancies. |