Training activity information
Details
With supervision from a consultant write a histological report for the following specimen types:
- Lipoma
- Appendix
- Foreskin
- Ovary
- Tonsil
- Fibroadenoma
- Lymph node
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.
Considerations
- RCPath tissue pathways
- Local guidance and proformas
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
- Consider what you need to know before embarking on writing these reports for the specified specimen types (lipoma, appendix, foreskin, ovary, tonsil, fibroadenoma, lymph node). This might include reviewing standard reporting formats, specific terminology for these tissues, and common non-malignant findings.
- Consider the specific insights you hope to gain from engaging in this activity. For example, will you learn more about the key features to include in a report for each specimen type? Will you improve your ability to synthesise macroscopic and microscopic information in a written format?
- Think about what you already know about writing histological reports and about these specific specimen types. What are your current strengths and areas where you feel less confident?
- Ask your supervisor about any specific guidelines, templates, or examples they might recommend.
- Consider possible challenges you might face during the activity, such as accurately describing certain features, selecting appropriate terminology, or ensuring the report is comprehensive yet concise. Think about how you might handle these challenges, for instance, by referring to textbooks or seeking guidance from your supervisor.
- Review any relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs) or local guidelines for writing histological reports.
- You might also want to review examples of histological reports for similar non-malignant specimens if available in your department.
In action
- Pay attention to your actions. How are you approaching the task of writing each histological report?
- Why are you choosing to describe certain features in a particular way?
- Are you following a specific template or format?
- What decisions are you making as you write each report? For example, how are you deciding which macroscopic features are most relevant to include?
- How are you integrating information about the block sampling?
- What terminology are you selecting to describe the findings?
- What aspects of your practice feel intuitive, and what requires more conscious effort?
- Are you finding the description of some specimen types easier than others?
- Which parts of the reporting process (e.g., summarising macroscopic features, suggesting microscopic correlations) are coming naturally, and which require more thought and referencing?
- How effective are your actions in achieving the goal of writing a clear and accurate histological report for each specimen?
- Are you satisfied with the drafts you are producing? Are you encountering any roadblocks or areas where you are unsure how to proceed?
- What challenges are you facing during this activity?
- Are you struggling to recall specific terminology?
- Are you finding it difficult to synthesise the macroscopic and potential microscopic findings?
- Are you unsure about the level of detail required for each report?
- What can you learn from this activity as it unfolds?
- Are you noticing any patterns or common features across different non-malignant specimens?
- Are you learning more about the specific histological characteristics of lipomas, appendices, etc.?
- How does this activity connect to your existing knowledge and skills?
- Are you drawing on information from previous dissections or theoretical learning?
- How is this report-writing task reinforcing or challenging your current understanding?
- Are there alternative approaches you could be considering for writing these reports? For example, could you structure the reports differently?
- Could you use different descriptive language?
- Are you learning from the consultant’s feedback and adjusting your approach for subsequent reports?
On action
- Begin by summarising the key points of the experience of writing these histological reports.
- What were the main tasks involved?
- What specimen types did you find more challenging or straightforward to report on?
- What kind of feedback did you receive from your consultant supervisor?
- What specific skills or knowledge did you develop or improve through this activity?
- Did you enhance your ability to describe macroscopic features?
- Did you learn more about the expected content and format of histological reports for these non-malignant specimens?
- Did you improve your use of specific histopathological terminology?
- Were there any unexpected challenges or successes during the activity?
- What did you learn from these? For example, did you encounter any features that were difficult to describe?
- Were you particularly pleased with how you structured a certain report?
- What areas for continued development have been identified as a result of this activity?
- Are there specific specimen types or aspects of report writing that you feel you need to focus on improving?
- How can you apply the learning from this activity to your routine practice?
- Will you adopt any new strategies or approaches when writing future histological reports?
- Identify the actions / ‘next steps’ you will now take to support the assimilation of what you have learned. For example, will you review specific textbooks or resources?
- Will you seek further examples of reports for these specimen types?
- Will you ask for more opportunities to write similar reports?
- What support or resources might you need to further develop in the areas identified through this reflection?
- Do you need additional guidance from your consultant?
- Are there any relevant training materials or online resources you could use?
Beyond action
- Now that you have had more training and experience, perhaps in other DTAs or modules, does your view of those initial report-writing tasks differ?
- What new insights do you have?
- Compare these experiences with those from other DTAs, for example, writing histological reports for malignant specimens.
- What practices related to report writing have you assimilated into your practice since completing this DTA?
- Revisit your reflections from this DTA as part of a review of this module or your overall training. Identify the learning and actions you noted down at the time.
- Have you implemented those actions?
- What further learning or actions might you identify now?
- Even though this specific task involved non-malignant specimens, how did it support you to develop more general skills for other training activities, for example, your attention to detail, your ability to synthesise information, or your written communication skills?
- How have you applied the knowledge gained from writing these non-malignant reports since the original experience?
- Have you become more confident in describing macroscopic features?
- Has your understanding of block sampling rationale improved and how has this influenced your report writing?
- How has experience since then influenced your wider practice of histopathology?
- Identify clear actions for continued development of the skills introduced through these activities. What ongoing steps will you take to refine your histological report writing skills throughout your training and beyond?
- How will you stay up-to-date with best practices and evolving guidelines in histopathology reporting?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 4 |
Outcome
Summarise the macroscopic features and block sampling for accurate microscopic assessment for non-malignant specimens. |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Practice safely in accordance with quality management and accreditation standards. |