Training activity information
Details
Select, perform and interpret tests for genitourinary infections, including UTIs using the following techniques and suggest options for management:
- Culture, identification and AST
- Microscopy including automated methods
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.
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
- How will this DTA help you gain experience in diagnosing common genitourinary infections, including urinary tract infections (UTIs)?
- What is your current understanding of common pathogens causing genitourinary infections and UTIs?
- What experience do you have with culture, identification, AST, and microscopy (including automated methods) for these types of infections?
- What specific skills in selecting, performing, and interpreting these tests for genitourinary infections do you aim to improve?
- What do you hope to learn about the advantages and limitations of different techniques, including automated microscopy?
- How will this activity enhance your ability to suggest appropriate management strategies?
- How will you prepare for this DTA? Will you review standard operating procedures for processing urine and other genitourinary samples?
- Will you discuss with your training officer the local guidelines for UTI management and antimicrobial prescribing?
- What challenges might you encounter in differentiating between infection and contamination in urine samples?
- How will you approach interpreting susceptibility results and considering potential resistance?
In action
- What specific genitourinary infection tests are you currently performing (e.g., urine microscopy, automated cell count, urine culture, antimicrobial susceptibility testing)?
- How are you approaching the selection and execution of each of these techniques? Why are you doing it this way?
- What decisions are you making regarding culture media selection, incubation conditions, and identification algorithms?
- What aspects of performing these genitourinary infection tests feel intuitive to you, and what requires more conscious effort?
- How effective are your current actions in obtaining interpretable results for each technique?
- What challenges are you facing during the process of selecting, performing, and interpreting these tests (e.g., interpreting mixed growth, resolving discrepancies between microscopy and culture, understanding AST results)?
- What can you learn about genitourinary infection testing and interpretation as the activity unfolds?
- How does this genitourinary infection testing activity connect to your existing knowledge of microbiology and infectious diseases?
- Are there alternative approaches you could be considering if results are unclear or unexpected (e.g., using confirmatory tests, seeking further information on patient history)?
- What support or guidance might you need in this moment from a senior colleague or the training officer regarding any part of the genitourinary infection testing process?
- Are you working within your scope of practice when selecting, performing, and interpreting these tests and considering management options?
On action
- Begin by summarising the key points of the experience of working with genitourinary samples and performing tests for UTIs.
- What were the most significant observations related to processing these samples or using techniques like culture, microscopy (manual or automated), identification, or AST?
- What skills or knowledge did you develop or improve through engaging in this DTA, specifically concerning genitourinary sample processing, test performance (Culture, automated Microscopy), interpretation of results, or suggesting management for UTIs?
- Were there any unexpected challenges or successes during the activity, for example, with interpreting mixed cultures or automated microscopy results?
- What did you learn from these? In what ways did your ‘reflection-in-action’ influence how you approached and completed the activity?
- What areas for continued development have been identified as a result of performing this DTA, perhaps concerning interpreting complex results or optimising techniques?
- How can you apply the learning from this activity to your routine handling of genitourinary samples and results in the laboratory?
- Identify the specific actions or ‘next steps’ you will now take to support the assimilation of what you have learned.
- What support or resources might you need to further develop in the areas identified?
Beyond action
- Revisit your initial reflect-on-action notes for this DTA.
- What additional insights have you gained since the initial reflection?
- Has discussing challenging UTI cases (e.g., mixed growth, unusual resistance) with colleagues altered your perspective?
- How did this specific genitourinary/UTI testing experience compare to other infection testing experiences?
- What patterns or recurring challenges have you identified across multiple sample types or techniques?
- Have you discussed genitourinary/UTI diagnostics or management approaches during professional storytelling with peers or senior colleagues? What new perspectives did this bring?
- How have the skills (e.g., high-volume culture processing, rapid microscopy interpretation, understanding common resistance patterns) you developed during this DTA influenced your subsequent work?
- Have you applied the learning from this DTA, such as understanding the clinical context of different sample types or the importance of local guidelines, to other aspects of your microbiology practice? How does the learning from this DTA contribute to your preparedness for observed assessments or routine reporting?
- What transferable skills in managing common sample types, applying standard techniques efficiently, interpreting results rapidly, and understanding guideline-driven management, developed through this DTA, will be valuable throughout your training and beyond?
- Identify clear actions for continued development related to genitourinary diagnostics or laboratory workflow based on your cumulative experiences and reflections.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Select and perform tests to investigate common infections from a range of sample types following guidance and fulfilling health and safety requirements |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Interpret the results of tests used to investigate common infections from a range of sample types with consideration of laboratory quality assurance and quality control |
| # 3 |
Outcome
Identify options for management of common infections based on test results and clinical context, considering infection control, guidelines and public health requirements |