Training activity information
Details
Create an outbreak report using descriptive epidemiological methods
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 skills in descriptive epidemiology and report writing are you aiming to develop?
- What is your current understanding of descriptive epidemiological methods (e.g., calculating rates, creating epidemic curves)? What information do you anticipate needing to include in the report, and what existing knowledge do you have about this?
- How will you prepare for creating this report (e.g., familiarising yourself with reporting templates, reviewing examples of outbreak reports)? What challenges might you encounter (e.g., data analysis, presenting findings clearly), and how will you address them? How do you feel about the task of creating an outbreak report?
In action
- What are you doing? What specific epidemiological methods are you currently applying (e.g., calculating attack rates, drawing an epidemic curve)?
- Why have you chosen these methods?
- What decisions are you making about which data to include and how to present it?
- What parts of this process are straightforward, and what requires more thought?
- How are you progressing with the activity?
- Are the descriptive methods providing a clear picture of the outbreak?
- What challenges are you facing in analysing the data or selecting the most appropriate presentation format?
- What are you learning about the outbreak pattern as you create the report?
- How does this task build on your understanding of epidemiology?
- How are you adapting to the situation?
- Are you considering alternative ways to visualise the data if your initial approach isn’t clear?
- Do you need to refer back to resources or examples of outbreak reports?
- Are you ensuring the report accurately reflects the epidemiological findings?
On action
- Summarise the key data and information that was included in the outbreak report. Describe the descriptive epidemiological methods you used (e.g., person, place, time).
- What were the main sections of the report, and what information did they contain?
- What skills or knowledge related to descriptive epidemiology and outbreak reporting did you develop or improve?
- Were there any challenges in collecting, analysing, or presenting the epidemiological data?
- What did you learn from these challenges? Did any insights gained during the process of creating the report (reflect-in-action) influence the content or structure of the report?
- How does the ability to create an outbreak report using descriptive epidemiology relate to the requirements of post-programme practice?
- What areas for continued development in your epidemiological skills or reporting abilities were identified through this activity?
- How can you apply the learning from creating this report to future reporting tasks or data analysis in your routine practice?
- What actions will you take to improve your understanding or skills in descriptive epidemiology and report writing?
- What support or resources might be helpful for your further development in this area?
Beyond action
- Reflect on your initial process of creating an outbreak report using descriptive epidemiological methods. What were the challenges and successes you encountered? Compare your approach to creating this report with reports you have generated in other training activities or experiences.
- What changes or improvements have you made to your methodology based on subsequent learning?
- Look back at your reflection on this DTA.
- What further learning points or actions are now apparent based on your overall progress?
- Have you discussed your experience of creating such reports with others?
- Have these discussions offered new insights or perspectives that have evolved your understanding?
- Consider how the skills developed in this DTA (e.g., data interpretation, summarisation, presentation of findings) have contributed to your ability to undertake other tasks and training activities. In what ways have you applied your understanding of descriptive epidemiology and outbreak reporting in your more recent work or learning?
- How has your proficiency in this area evolved since completing this DTA?
- What transferable skills related to data analysis and scientific writing have you strengthened through this activity?
- What specific steps will you take to further enhance your skills in descriptive epidemiology and outbreak report writing for future professional practice?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 2 |
Outcome
Formulate reports contributing to management and monitoring of outbreaks and public health incidents using descriptive epidemiological methods |