Training activity information
Details
Select, perform and interpret tests for common fungal causes of respiratory infection using the following techniques and suggest options for management:
- Microscopy
- Culture, identification and AST
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 expand your knowledge of respiratory pathogens to include common fungal agents?
- What are the common fungal pathogens that can cause respiratory infections?
- What experience do you have with microscopy, culture, identification, and AST for these fungi?
- What specific morphological features of respiratory fungi do you hope to learn to identify microscopically and culturally?
- What challenges do you anticipate in culturing and identifying these fungi from respiratory samples?
- How will this activity improve your ability to suggest appropriate antifungal treatment options?
- How will you prepare for this DTA?
- Will you review fungal culture media and identification keys?
- Will you discuss with your training officer the specific challenges in diagnosing fungal respiratory infections in different patient groups?
- What challenges might arise in differentiating between fungal colonisation and invasive infection in respiratory samples?
- How will you approach interpreting antifungal susceptibility results?
In action
- What specific fungal respiratory infection tests are you currently performing or interpreting (e.g., sputum microscopy with appropriate stains, fungal culture on specific media, identification of fungal isolates)?
- How are you approaching the execution or interpretation of these assays? Why are you doing it this way (e.g., understanding the growth requirements of different respiratory fungi, recognising key morphological features)?
- What decisions are you making regarding the significance of a fungal isolate in a respiratory sample?
- What aspects of performing or interpreting these tests feel intuitive to you, and what requires more conscious effort (e.g., differentiating fungal pathogens from commensals or environmental contaminants, interpreting antifungal susceptibility testing)?
- How effective are your current actions in obtaining or interpreting clinically relevant results for fungal respiratory infections?
- What challenges are you facing during the process (e.g., slow growth of fungi in culture, difficulty in morphological identification)?
- What can you learn about diagnosing fungal respiratory infections and the challenges associated with it as the activity unfolds?
- How does this activity connect to your understanding of mycology, opportunistic infections, and the management of immunocompromised patients?
- Are there alternative approaches you could be considering if initial tests are negative but clinical suspicion remains high (e.g., requesting bronchoalveolar lavage, using specific fungal stains)?
- What support or guidance might you need in this moment from a senior colleague or the training officer regarding the identification of rare fungal pathogens or the interpretation of antifungal susceptibility results?
- 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 focusing on fungal investigations for respiratory samples. What specific observations did you make during microscopy or culture regarding common fungal pathogens in respiratory specimens?
- What skills or knowledge did you develop or improve through this DTA, specifically regarding microscopy or culture techniques for respiratory fungi, identification, interpreting AST for antifungals, or suggesting management?
- Were there any unexpected challenges (e.g., differentiating fungal elements in microscopy, slow culture growth) or successes? What did you learn from these?
- In what ways did your ‘reflection-in-action’ influence your approach during the activity, such as deciding on appropriate culture media or incubation conditions?
- What areas for continued development have been identified, particularly concerning the morphological identification of fungal elements under microscopy or understanding antifungal susceptibility testing?
- How can you apply this learning to your routine practice, especially when fungal elements are suspected in respiratory samples?
- Identify the specific actions or ‘next steps’ you will take to enhance your skills in respiratory mycology. What support or resources might you need to further develop in these specific 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 fungal respiratory cases (e.g., Aspergillus, Candida) with colleagues or reviewing clinical guidelines altered your perspective on management options?
- How did this specific fungal respiratory testing experience compare to testing for bacterial or viral respiratory infections?
- What unique challenges (e.g., slower growth, specific microscopy) have you identified with fungal samples?
- Have you discussed fungal respiratory diagnostics or management during professional discussions? What new perspectives did this bring?
- How have the skills (e.g., specific fungal microscopy, understanding fungal culture requirements and timelines, interpreting antifungal susceptibility) you developed during this DTA influenced your approach to fungal testing from other sites?
- Have you applied the learning from this DTA, such as recognising the importance of sample type or the need for prolonged culture, to other aspects of your microbiology practice?
- How does the learning from this DTA contribute to your preparedness for interpreting microscopy or culture results for fungal elements?
- What transferable skills in applying specific techniques for fungal pathogens, understanding fungal pathology, and contributing to the management of invasive fungal infections, developed through this DTA, will be valuable throughout your training and beyond?
- Identify clear actions for continued development related to fungal diagnostics or antifungal susceptibility testing 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 |