Training activity information
Details
Interpret typing results for a named pathogen in an outbreak or surveillance setting and make recommendations for action
Type
Entrustable training activity (ETA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee repeatedly, consistently, and effectively over time, in a range of situations. This may include occasions where the trainee has not successfully achieved the outcome of the activity themselves. For example, because it was not appropriate to undertake the task in the circumstances or the trainees recognised their own limitations and sought help or advice to ensure the activity reached an appropriate conclusion.
Reflection at multiple timepoints on the trainee learning journey for this activity.
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 specifically would constitute a successful interpretation of the typing results? What would make the recommendations for action appropriate and effective in an outbreak or surveillance context?
- What level of detail or certainty is expected in your interpretation and recommendations?
- What do you already know about interpreting pathogen typing data (e.g., PFGE, MLST, WGS)? Have you seen or worked with typing data before in any context?
- What is your current understanding of how typing results are used in infection prevention and control and public health?
- Where do you anticipate you might need to seek advice or clarification regarding the interpretation or potential recommendations?
- How do you feel about the prospect of interpreting complex genetic or molecular data and translating it into public health actions?
- What specific skills in data interpretation (e.g., visualising phylogenetic trees, understanding relatedness metrics) or linking laboratory data to epidemiological context do you hope to develop?
- What specific insights do you hope to gain into how pathogen typing directly informs outbreak management or public health surveillance decisions?
- Are there any previous reflections on interpreting complex data or making recommendations that you need to revisit?
- What information do you need to gather about the specific pathogen, the typing method used, or the epidemiological context (e.g., timeline, case definitions) before you can interpret the results effectively?
- What challenges might you face in interpreting the data (e.g., ambiguous results, limited epidemiological information) or in formulating actionable recommendations, and how might you handle them?
In action
- Are there any typing results that present surprising patterns, such as unexpected clusters of unrelated isolates, or results that do not align with the epidemiological information you have?
- Do you encounter any challenges in accessing or visualising the typing data, or does the report format present unexpected difficulties?
- Does formulating the recommendations for action present unexpected complexities or require information you do not initially anticipate needing?
- How does this experience compare with any previous times you’ve interacted with or interpreted similar data?
- How does the unexpected finding or challenge impact your process of interpreting the data or developing recommendations? Do you pause, re-evaluate, or feel unsure how to proceed?
- Do you need to adapt or change your immediate approach to interpreting the data or deciding on the next steps for recommendations?
- Does this unexpected aspect affect your ability to work independently on the task at that moment?
- How do you feel in that specific moment – perhaps confused, challenged, or cautious? Does it affect your confidence in interpreting the results or making recommendations?
- Do you ensure you are working within your scope of practice while dealing with the unexpected, or does the situation prompt you to consider seeking advice?
- What do you learn specifically from dealing with that unexpected aspect of interpreting the results or forming recommendations?
On action
- Summarise the key aspects of interpreting the typing results for the named pathogen in the specific outbreak or surveillance context. What were the key results you focused on?
- Describe the process you followed to interpret the results and arrive at your recommendations for action. Who did you consult, if anyone?
- Include any ‘reflect-in-action’ moments where you adapted your interpretation or approach during the activity, especially if anything unexpected occurred. How did you respond to those moments in real-time?
- What learning can you take from this experience regarding interpreting pathogen typing results (including genomic methods if used) in an outbreak or surveillance setting? What strengths did you demonstrate?
- What skills or knowledge gaps were evident during this activity? For example, were there aspects of the typing data or epidemiological context you found challenging to integrate?
- Compare this experience against previous engagement with similar activities. Were any previous identified actions for development related to data interpretation or outbreak response achieved? Has your practice in this area improved?
- Identify any challenges you experienced during the interpretation or recommendation process and how you reacted to these6. Did this affect your ability to deal with the situation? Were you able to overcome the challenges?
- Identify anything significant about the activity. Did you need to seek advice or clarification, for instance, on the typing methodology or the epidemiological data? Or did you need to escalate to ensure that you were working within your scope of practice?
- Acknowledge any changes in your own feelings now you are looking back on the experience. How do you feel about your ability to perform this activity now?
- Identify the actions / ‘next steps’ you will now take to support the assimilation of what you have learnt, including from any feedback you have received. What will you do differently next time you interpret typing results?
- Has anything changed in terms of what you would do if you were faced with a similar situation again?
- Do you need to practise any aspect of the activity further? This could relate to specific typing software, understanding complex phylogenetic trees, or formulating recommendations in different public health contexts.
Beyond action
- Have you thoroughly reviewed and re-evaluated your previous instances of interpreting pathogen typing results for both outbreak and surveillance settings?
- Recall your initial approaches to data interpretation, your thought processes in connecting results to the epidemiological context, and the recommendations for action you formulated in those specific cases.
- What specific steps did you plan to take to improve your practice in interpreting typing data or formulating recommendations? Have these actions been completed, and are you now ready to demonstrate this new learning in practice?
- Compare your current approach and understanding in undertaking this activity with other related activities or assessments where you interpreted similar data or contributed to outbreak responses.
- What observable behaviours and practices regarding typing data interpretation, applying epidemiological context, or formulating clear recommendations have you incorporated as a direct result of these collective experiences?
- Consider if your view of the situation, the interpretation process, or the appropriate recommendations has transformed or deepened due to analysing these experiences with others.
- How has this specific experience, and the subsequent learning gained from revisiting it, supported your development of transferable skills applicable to other training activities, such as interpreting other data types, applying broader epidemiological principles, or effectively communicating findings?
- How has your practice evolved and developed over time in relation to interpreting pathogen typing results and making recommendations since your initial experiences or undertaking this training activity? Specifically, how have your skills in integrating laboratory data with clinical and epidemiological information improved, enabling more nuanced interpretations and recommendations?
- How have these experiences enhanced your ability to recognise when interpreting complex typing data or making recommendations might be beyond your current scope of practice, and when it is necessary to seek advice or escalate?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 5 |
Outcome
Interpret pathogen typing results in the context of infection control and prevention and public health |