Training activity information
Details
Respond to clinical queries/significant results related to the diagnosis and management of infection in pregnancy including:
- Rash
- UTI/significant urine results
- Biliary itching
- Group B strep
- Foetal abnormalities and infectious diseases in pregnancy
- Screening programmes
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 infections common in pregnancy, interpretation of serology for foetal abnormalities, Group B strep screening, and relevant guidelines do you need to prepare?
- What specific insights into the complexities of diagnosing and managing infections during pregnancy and the importance of timely and accurate advice do you hope to gain? What is your current understanding of the interplay between maternal and foetal health in the context of infection?
- Have you discussed the specific scenarios listed (rash, UTI, etc.) and their microbiological investigations with your training officer? What challenges might arise in interpreting complex serology or providing advice that considers both mother and baby? How will you handle these? What are your feelings about dealing with potentially high-stakes situations involving pregnant patients?
In action
- What is your initial approach to the specific clinical query or significant result related to infection in pregnancy?
- What are the immediate considerations for both the mother and the foetus?
- What decisions are you making regarding the most relevant investigations, the interpretation of results in the context of pregnancy, and the formulation of advice that considers potential risks to both mother and baby?
- What aspects of interpreting results or providing advice in pregnancy feel intuitive, and where do you need to consciously apply specific knowledge related to pregnancy-related infections and screening?
- How confident are you that your approach is appropriately addressing the potential infection and its implications for the pregnancy?
- What specific challenges or complexities are you encountering related to diagnosing and managing this particular pregnancy-related infection?
- What are you learning about the specific risks and management strategies for infections during pregnancy as you work through this?
- How does this activity connect to your understanding of maternal and foetal health, relevant screening programmes, and the potential impact of infections on pregnancy outcomes?
- Are you considering alternative diagnostic or management pathways that are specific to pregnancy?
- Do you recognise any situations where urgent consultation with obstetrics or other specialists is necessary?
- Are you ensuring your advice aligns with current national guidelines for managing infections in pregnancy?
On action
- Begin by summarising the key points of the experience of responding to clinical queries/significant results related to infections in pregnancy.
- What skills or knowledge did you develop or improve related to the specific considerations for diagnosing and managing infections during pregnancy, including the potential impact on both mother and foetus?
- Were there any unexpected challenges or successes in interpreting results and providing advice for conditions such as Group B strep carriage, UTIs in pregnancy, or investigations for potential congenital infections?
- What did you learn from these? In what ways did your reflection-in-action (during the activity) influence your consideration of vertical transmission risks and appropriate antimicrobial use in pregnancy?
- How does this experience relate to the requirements for post-programme practice in providing specialist microbiology support for obstetric and neonatal services?
- What areas for continued development have been identified in responding to clinical queries related to infections in pregnancy?
- How can you apply the learning from this activity to your routine practice, particularly in understanding relevant screening programmes and guidelines for managing infections in pregnant women?
- Identify the actions / ‘next steps’ you will now take to support the assimilation of what you have learned, such as reviewing national guidelines on infections in pregnancy or discussing cases with obstetricians and foetal medicine specialists.
- What support or resources might you need to further develop your skills in this area, such as attending relevant multidisciplinary meetings or reviewing specialist literature?
Beyond action
- How has your understanding of managing infections in pregnancy, including specific scenarios like rash or UTI, 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 pregnant patients to other patient groups or specific scenarios in pregnancy?
- What connections can you draw between this DTA and other training activities or clinical experiences, such as interpreting foetal abnormality serology, and how do they build towards your overall development as a Healthcare Scientist considering both maternal and foetal health?
- What further development needs related to infections in pregnancy 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 |