Training activity information
Details
Respond to clinical queries/ significant results related to the diagnosis and management of infection in paediatric patients in both primary and secondary care settings.
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
- What specific knowledge about paediatric pathogens, interpretation of results with age-related reference ranges, and communication with paediatricians and parents do you need to review?
- What specific understanding of the challenges in diagnosing and managing infections in children across different care settings do you hope to gain? What is your current knowledge of the importance of age in interpreting microbiological findings?
- Have you discussed common paediatric infection scenarios and queries with your training officer? What challenges might you face in interpreting results or providing advice tailored to paediatric cases? How will you approach these? How do you feel about engaging with cases involving children?
In action
- What are your immediate steps in responding to the clinical query or significant result for a paediatric patient?
- What specific factors related to age are you considering?
- What key decisions are you making about the selection of appropriate tests, the interpretation of results (considering age-related normal ranges), and the formulation of management advice for this child?
- What aspects of your practice with paediatric samples feel familiar, and where do you need to be particularly mindful of age-specific considerations?
- How well do you believe your current actions are addressing the diagnostic and management needs of this paediatric patient in their specific care setting?
- What unique challenges related to paediatric infections or working with paediatric samples are you encountering?
- What are you learning about the differences in approach required for diagnosing and managing infections in children compared to adults?
- How does this activity connect to your knowledge of paediatric infectious diseases, developmental physiology, and communication with families?
- Are you considering alternative testing or management strategies that are particularly suited for paediatric patients?
- Do you feel you might need to consult specific paediatric guidelines or seek advice from a paediatric specialist?
- Are you ensuring your advice is age-appropriate and takes into account the specific context of primary or secondary care?
On action
- Begin by summarising the key points of the experience of responding to clinical queries/significant results for paediatric patients in primary and secondary care1.
- What skills or knowledge did you develop or improve related to the specific challenges of diagnosing and managing infections in children, including age-related differences in presentation and interpretation of results?
- Were there any unexpected challenges or successes in tailoring advice for paediatric cases and communicating with paediatricians or general practitioners?
- What did you learn from these? In what ways did your reflection-in-action (during the activity) influence your approach to test selection and interpretation, considering the specific infectious disease epidemiology and clinical presentations in paediatrics?
- How does this experience relate to the requirements for post-programme practice in providing specialist microbiology input for paediatric infections across different healthcare settings?
- What areas for continued development have been identified in responding to clinical queries for paediatric infections?
- How can you apply the learning from this activity to your routine practice, particularly in understanding the importance of age-specific reference ranges and the nuances of paediatric antimicrobial prescribing?
- Identify the actions / ‘next steps’ you will now take to support the assimilation of what you have learned, such as reviewing paediatric infection guidelines or discussing cases with paediatric infectious disease specialists.
- What support or resources might you need to further develop your skills in this area, such as attending paediatric microbiology meetings or reviewing relevant textbooks?
Beyond action
- How has your understanding of managing infections in paediatric patients across primary and secondary care evolved since undertaking this DTA and gaining further experience?
- How have you applied the skills and knowledge gained from this DTA regarding test selection, interpretation, and advice drafting for paediatric patients to other age groups or specific paediatric scenarios?
- What connections can you draw between this DTA and other training activities or clinical experiences, such as attending relevant multidisciplinary team meetings or interpreting paediatric infection aetiology, and how do they build towards your overall development as a Healthcare Scientist?
- What further development needs related to paediatric infections have been identified through revisiting this experience, and what actions will you now take?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Identify appropriate investigative strategies to diagnose and manage infections associated with specialist patient groups, considering guidance and public health requirements |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Select tests to diagnose and manage infections and interpret the results in the clinical context for specialist patient groups, with consideration of laboratory quality assurance and quality control |
| # 3 |
Outcome
Develop plans and provide advice on infection management for specialist patient groups considering infection control, guidelines and public health requirements |