Training activity information
Details
Respond to clinical queries/ significant results related to the diagnosis and management of patients with a suspected skin and soft tissue infections.
To include selection and interpretation of relevant tests and drafting of advice.
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
- Are there any specific guidelines or considerations in your workplace related to these infections that you should be aware of?
- What specific insights into the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections do you hope to gain by engaging with clinical queries?
- What is your current understanding of the common pathogens and laboratory tests associated with these infections? What areas do you wish to develop further?
- Discuss with your training officer the typical clinical queries related to suspected skin and soft tissue infections. Consider potential challenges in differentiating between different types of skin and soft tissue infections or interpreting complex microbiological results.
- How will you prepare to address these? Reflect on your familiarity with relevant antimicrobial guidance for skin and soft tissue infections and plan to review if necessary.
In action
- Outline your immediate actions in response to the clinical query/significant result concerning a suspected skin and soft tissue infection.
- What is your reasoning?
- What decisions are you making about which information is most relevant and how to interpret it as you proceed with your response?
- What aspects of handling skin and soft tissue infection queries feel routine, and where do you require more conscious attention?
- How well are your current steps enabling you to formulate appropriate diagnostic and management advice?
- What specific challenges are you facing while addressing this query/result related to a skin and soft tissue infection?
- What immediate learning points are you identifying regarding the management of these types of infections?
- How does this task relate to your previous knowledge and experience in microbiology?
- Are you considering alternative diagnostic approaches or management strategies based on the evolving information?
- If you needed immediate assistance, what specific support would you seek?
- Are you ensuring that your response and any potential advice are within your current ability level?
On action
- What type of skin and soft tissue infection was suspected (e.g., cellulitis, abscess, wound infection, necrotising fasciitis)?
- What were the key clinical findings and patient history?
- What microbiological investigations were relevant (e.g., swabs, tissue biopsies, blood cultures)?
- How did you consider the potential for multi-resistant organisms?
- Did you improve your understanding of the microbiology of skin and soft tissue infections, including common pathogens?
- Did you enhance your ability to interpret results from skin and soft tissue specimens?
- Did you gain insights into the role of the microbiology lab in guiding antimicrobial therapy for these infections?
- Were there any complexities in the case (e.g., co-morbidities, previous infections)? How did you address these?
- What did you learn?
- How did this activity highlight the importance of communication between the lab and clinical teams in managing skin and soft tissue infections?
- Are there specific aspects of skin and soft tissue infection microbiology or management you need to explore further?
- How will you incorporate considerations for antimicrobial resistance into your advice on these cases?
- What guidelines or resources will you consult to enhance your knowledge in this area?
- Would reviewing guidelines on the management of skin and soft tissue infections be beneficial?
Beyond action
- Revisiting your reflections on skin and soft tissue infection queries, have you since encountered cases with different complexities or aetiologies that have broadened your perspective?
- How does your understanding of these infections compare to your understanding of systemic infections?
- How has the learning from this DTA on skin and soft tissue infections impacted your current ability to respond to related queries and interpret results?
- Have you noticed an improvement in your efficiency or accuracy in this area?
- Considering your future practice, how will your experiences with skin and soft tissue infection queries continue to be valuable?
- Are there any specific skills or knowledge related to these infections you wish to enhance?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Identify appropriate investigative strategies to diagnose and manage infections linked to syndromic presentations considering guidance and public health requirements |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Select tests to diagnose and manage infections and interpret the results in the clinical context for patients with syndromic presentations, with consideration of laboratory quality assurance and quality control |
| # 3 |
Outcome
Develop plans and provide advice on infection management for patients with syndromic presentations, considering infection control, guidelines and public health requirements |