Training activity information
Details
Select, perform and interpret tests for bacterial and viral causes of respiratory infection using the following techniques and suggest options for management:
- Microscopy
- Culture, identification and AST
- Molecular assays
- Urinary antigen
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 contribute to your understanding of the laboratory diagnosis of common respiratory infections?
- What are the common bacterial and viral pathogens responsible for respiratory infections?
- What experience do you have with microscopy, culture, identification, AST, molecular assays, and urinary antigen testing in this context?
- What specific skills in selecting the most appropriate diagnostic tests based on clinical presentation for respiratory infections do you hope to develop?
- How will you improve your ability to interpret results from various techniques, including multiplex PCR for respiratory viruses and urinary antigen tests for bacteria?
- How will this activity enhance your understanding of suggesting management options, considering the increasing role of molecular diagnostics?
- How will you prepare for this DTA?
- Will you review the local testing algorithms for respiratory pathogens?
- Will you discuss with your training officer the interpretation of cycle threshold (Ct) values in viral PCR?
- What challenges might arise in interpreting results from co-infections or colonisation versus true infection?
- How will you consider the impact of vaccination on diagnostic test results?
- How do you feel about learning to diagnose these highly prevalent infections?
In action
- What specific bacterial and viral respiratory infection tests are you currently performing or interpreting (e.g., sputum Gram stain, throat swab culture, PCR for influenza virus, urinary antigen for Streptococcus pneumoniae)?
- How are you approaching the execution or interpretation of these assays?
- Why are you doing it this way (e.g., using specific culture media for respiratory pathogens, understanding the sensitivity and specificity of molecular tests)?
- What decisions are you making regarding the interpretation of mixed bacterial growth in sputum or the clinical significance of a detected virus?
- What aspects of performing or interpreting these tests feel intuitive to you, and what requires more conscious effort (e.g., differentiating colonisers from pathogens in respiratory samples, interpreting cycle threshold values in PCR)?
- How effective are your current actions in obtaining or interpreting clinically relevant results for respiratory infections?
- What challenges are you facing during the process (e.g., poor quality sputum samples, interpreting co-detections in molecular assays)?
- What can you learn about respiratory pathogen diagnostics and the appropriate use of different techniques as the activity unfolds?
- How does this activity connect to your understanding of respiratory tract infections, community-acquired pneumonia, and infection control measures?
- Are there alternative approaches you could be considering if initial tests are inconclusive or if there is a discrepancy between different test results (e.g., requesting a different sample type, using a broader range molecular assay)?
- What support or guidance might you need in this moment from a senior colleague or the training officer regarding the interpretation of complex results or the need for further investigation?
- 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 working with respiratory samples and investigating bacterial and viral causes.
- What were the most significant observations regarding sample types, techniques (Microscopy, Culture, Molecular, Urinary antigen), or the spectrum of pathogens encountered?
- What skills or knowledge did you develop or improve through this DTA, specifically in processing respiratory samples, performing microscopy, culture, molecular assays, or urinary antigen tests for respiratory pathogens, interpreting combined results, or suggesting management options?
- Were there any unexpected challenges (e.g., poor quality samples, interpreting molecular results with low viral loads, identifying atypical bacteria) or successes? What did you learn from these?
- In what ways did your ‘reflection-in-action’ influence your approach during the activity, such as prioritising urgent samples or deciding on additional tests based on microscopy findings?
- What areas for continued development have been identified, perhaps concerning the interpretation of molecular respiratory panels or integrating findings from different test modalities?
- How can you apply the learning from this activity to your routine practice when handling respiratory samples and reporting results?
- Identify the specific actions or ‘next steps’ you will take to consolidate this learning. What support or resources might you need to further develop in these areas?
Beyond action
- Revisit your initial reflect-on-action notes for this DTA. What additional insights have you gained since the initial reflection?
- Has discussing respiratory infection cases at MDT meetings or with infection control teams altered your perspective on the clinical or public health impact?
- How did this specific respiratory infection testing experience compare to testing from other common sites (e.g., urine, faeces)?
- What patterns or recurring challenges (e.g., managing sample quality, interpreting polymicrobial results, managing outbreaks) have you identified across multiple respiratory samples?
- Have you discussed respiratory infection diagnostics, management, or infection control during professional discussions? What new perspectives did this bring?
- How have the skills (e.g., applying multiple techniques – microscopy, culture, molecular, antigen tests, interpreting AST for respiratory pathogens, understanding infection control implications) you developed during this DTA influenced your subsequent work with samples from different sites?
- Have you applied the learning from this DTA, such as understanding the role of rapid diagnostics or the importance of liaising with infection control, to other aspects of your microbiology practice?
- How does the learning from this DTA contribute to your preparedness for observed assessments like communicating a respiratory virus result needing an infection control intervention?
- What transferable skills in managing a high volume of samples, applying diverse diagnostic techniques, interpreting results in the context of clinical syndromes and public health, and liaising with infection control, developed through this DTA, will be invaluable throughout your training and beyond?
- Identify clear actions for continued development related to respiratory diagnostics, molecular testing, or infection control 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 |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Perform and interpret molecular techniques for the investigation of common infections following guidance and fulfilling health and safety requirements |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Select and interpret tests for the investigation and management of drug resistant pathogens |