Training activity information
Details
Select, perform and interpret tests for bacterial causes of gastrointestinal infection using the following techniques and suggest options for management:
- Microscopy
- Culture, identification and AST
- Serogrouping
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 bacterial gastrointestinal infections?
- What are the common bacterial pathogens causing gastrointestinal infections?
- What experience do you have with microscopy, culture, identification, AST, and serogrouping in this context?
- What specific skills in selecting appropriate culture media and conditions for isolating enteric bacteria do you hope to develop?
- How will you improve your ability to differentiate between pathogenic and commensal bacteria in stool samples?
- What insights do you expect to gain regarding the importance of serogrouping for certain enteric pathogens?
- How will you prepare for this DTA?
- Will you review the laboratory protocols for processing stool samples for bacterial pathogens?
- Will you discuss with your training officer the local guidelines for investigating outbreaks of gastrointestinal infections?
- What challenges might arise due to the polymicrobial nature of stool samples?
- How will you approach interpreting results in the context of a patient’s clinical history and potential travel?
- How do you feel about learning to diagnose these common infections that have significant public health implications?
In action
- What specific bacterial gastrointestinal infection tests are you currently performing or interpreting (e.g., stool microscopy for white blood cells, culture on selective media for enteric pathogens, identification of Salmonellaand Shigella, serogrouping of Salmonella)?
- How are you approaching the execution or interpretation of these assays?
- Why are you doing it this way (e.g., using specific selective media to isolate target pathogens, understanding the epidemiological significance of serogrouping)?
- What decisions are you making regarding further investigation of potential pathogens?
- What aspects of performing or interpreting these tests feel intuitive to you, and what requires more conscious effort (e.g., differentiating pathogenic from commensal bacteria in stool culture, performing and interpreting serogrouping tests)?
- How effective are your current actions in obtaining or interpreting clinically relevant results for bacterial gastrointestinal infections?
- What challenges are you facing during the process (e.g., overgrowth of commensal flora in culture, interpreting the significance of low numbers of potential pathogens)?
- What can you learn about diagnosing bacterial gastrointestinal infections and the role of public health in investigating outbreaks as the activity unfolds?
- How does this activity connect to your understanding of enteric pathogens, foodborne illness, and infection control measures?
- Are there alternative approaches you could be considering if initial tests are negative but clinical suspicion remains high (e.g., requesting specific toxin assays, using molecular tests for enteric pathogens)?
- What support or guidance might you need in this moment from a senior colleague or the training officer regarding the identification of unusual enteric pathogens or the interpretation of serogrouping results in the context of a potential outbreak?
- 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 stool samples and investigating bacterial causes of gastrointestinal infection.
- What were the most significant observations regarding sample processing, techniques (Microscopy, Culture, AST, Serogrouping), or the common bacterial pathogens encountered?
- What skills or knowledge did you develop or improve through this DTA, specifically in processing stool samples, performing microscopy, culture (including selective media), identification, AST, or serogrouping for enteric bacteria, interpreting results, or suggesting management?
- Were there any unexpected challenges (e.g., identifying non-lactose fermenters, performing serogrouping) 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 specific tests based on patient history or microscopy findings?
- What areas for continued development have been identified, perhaps concerning the identification of less common enteric pathogens or the interpretation of complex culture plates?
- How can you apply the learning from this activity to your routine practice when handling stool samples for bacterial culture? 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 DTA17.
- What additional insights have you gained since the initial reflection?
- Has discussing outbreak investigations or public health follow-up related to bacterial GI pathogens with colleagues or public health teams altered your perspective?
- How did this specific bacterial GI testing experience compare to testing for viral or parasitic GI infections?
- What patterns or recurring challenges (e.g., managing high volume, identifying significant pathogens from normal flora, performing serogrouping) have you identified across multiple stool samples?
- Have you discussed bacterial GI diagnostics, management, or public health reporting during professional discussions or attendance at clinical meetings? What new perspectives did this bring?
- How have the skills (e.g., efficient culture processing, identifying common GI pathogens, performing serogrouping, interpreting AST in context of GI infections) you developed during this DTA influenced your approach to other common sample types?
- Have you applied the learning from this DTA, such as recognising the importance of notifiable diseases or liaising with public health teams, to other aspects of your microbiology practice?
- How does the learning from this DTA contribute to your preparedness for routine reporting or liaising with public health?
- What transferable skills in managing high-volume samples, applying standard techniques, identifying pathogens with public health significance, and liaising with public health authorities, developed through this DTA, will be invaluable throughout your training and beyond?
- Identify clear actions for continued development related to bacterial GI diagnostics, public health reporting, or outbreak investigation 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 |