Training activity information
Details
Contribute to a multi-agency response to an outbreak in a non-healthcare setting
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 aspects of multi-agency outbreak response in non-healthcare settings are you aiming to learn about?
- What is your current understanding of how different agencies collaborate during an outbreak? What roles might different organisations play, and what communication challenges might arise?
- How will you prepare to contribute to this response (e.g., understanding the potential roles involved, discussing with your supervisor)? What unique challenges might be present in a non-healthcare setting, and how can a multi-agency approach help address them? How do you feel about participating in a multi-agency response?
In action
- What are you doing?
- What specific role are you currently playing in the multi-agency response (e.g., providing epidemiological information, assisting with communication, supporting logistics)?
- What tasks are you undertaking?
- What immediate decisions are you making within your role?
- What aspects of this collaborative effort feel familiar, and what requires you to think more about inter-agency working?
- How are you progressing with the activity?
- Is the multi-agency response effectively addressing the outbreak?
- What challenges are you observing in communication or coordination between different agencies?
- What are you learning about the roles and responsibilities of various organisations in an outbreak situation?
- How does this relate to your understanding of public health emergency response?
- How are you adapting to the situation?
- Are you adjusting your approach to align with the priorities and protocols of the different agencies involved?
- Do you need to seek clarification on roles or procedures?
- Are you reflecting on the importance of communication and collaboration in a multi-agency setting?
On action
- Summarise the nature of the outbreak and the non-healthcare setting.
- Describe the different agencies involved in the response and their roles.
- What was your specific contribution to the multi-agency response?
- What did you learn about multi-agency working and communication during an outbreak response?
- What skills in collaboration, communication, or understanding different organisational perspectives did you develop or improve?
- Were there any unexpected challenges or successes in the multi-agency response? What did you learn from these?
- How does contributing to a multi-agency response relate to the requirements of post-programme practice, particularly in partnership working?
- What areas for continued development in your understanding of inter-agency collaboration or outbreak management in non-healthcare settings were identified?
- How can you apply the experience of this multi-agency response to future collaborative work or outbreak situations?
- What actions will you take to further your knowledge of multi-agency protocols and communication strategies?
- What support or resources might be beneficial for developing your skills in this area?
Beyond action
- Reflect on your contribution to the multi-agency response. What was the context, what agencies were involved, what was your specific role, and what were the key challenges and successes of the collaborative effort?
- Compare this experience of multi-agency working with any other experiences you have had involving collaboration across different teams or organisations.
- What have you learned about effective inter-agency communication and coordination?
- Are there any aspects of the multi-agency response or the roles of different stakeholders that you now understand more deeply?
- Have you discussed this type of multi-agency response with colleagues or individuals who have experience in such situations? Have these conversations provided new insights into the complexities and dynamics of inter-organisational collaboration in outbreak management?
- Consider how this DTA has broadened your understanding of the wider public health landscape and the importance of collaboration beyond healthcare settings in managing outbreaks.
- How has your appreciation for the roles and responsibilities of different agencies in public health emergencies evolved since this experience?
- How might this influence your future interactions with these agencies?
- What transferable skills, such as communication, negotiation, and understanding of different organisational structures, did you develop or enhance through this activity?
- What steps will you take to further develop your understanding of multi-agency working in public health and emergency response in your future professional role?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Investigate outbreaks and public health incidents in a range of settings |
| # 7 |
Outcome
Practice in partnership with health protection and field services teams in the routine management of infectious diseases and surveillance of notifiable pathogens and diseases and in response to outbreaks and incidents |