Training activity information
Details
With supervision from a consultant, request appropriate molecular tests for the following pathologies:
- Skin cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Gynaecological cancer
- Breast cancer
- Urological cancer
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 datasets
- Local SOPs and/or proforma
- NICE guidance
- Cancer screening programme guidance
- Genomic test directory
- Biomarkers
- Germline vs somatic testing
- Balance of test priorities vs tissue availability
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 is the role of molecular testing in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of these specific cancers?
- Are you familiar with the common molecular alterations relevant to the listed cancers?
- Do you understand the different types of molecular tests available (e.g., PCR, FISH, NGS)?
- Are you aware of the clinical indications for requesting specific molecular tests in these contexts?
- Do you know how the results of molecular tests can impact patient management?
- How will this activity enhance your understanding of the molecular diagnostic pathways for these cancers?
- What will you learn about the factors that guide the selection of appropriate molecular tests?
- How will you develop your ability to integrate clinical information with pathological findings to inform test requests?
- Review the relevant national and local guidelines for molecular testing in the listed cancers.
- Discuss with your training officer specific cases and the rationale behind requesting particular molecular tests.
- Consider potential challenges in deciding which tests to request and think about how to justify your choices.
In action
- What specific clinical information or histological findings are prompting your choice of molecular tests?
- What are the immediate reasons for prioritising certain tests over others?
- Are you considering alternative or additional tests based on the information available at this stage?
- How does your understanding of the relevant diagnostic and prognostic algorithms influence your test selection in this moment?
On action
- What were the key clinical or histological indications that prompted the request for specific molecular tests?
- What types of molecular tests were requested for each cancer type?
- What was the consultant’s reasoning behind the test selections?
- How did this activity enhance your understanding of the role of molecular testing in the diagnosis and management of these cancers?
- What factors influence the choice of molecular tests (e.g., diagnostic, prognostic, predictive)?
- Were there any alternative tests that could have been considered?
- What were the reasons for the final selections?
- How does knowledge of diagnostic and prognostic algorithms inform molecular test requests?
- What specific clinical and histological scenarios will prompt you to consider particular molecular tests in the future?
- What resources or guidelines will you consult when deciding on molecular test requests?
- How will you discuss the rationale for molecular testing with colleagues or clinicians?
Beyond action
- How has your increased knowledge of genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular results in cancer diagnosis influenced your perspective on the appropriateness of the molecular tests you requested during this DTA?
- Reflecting on multidisciplinary team meetings you have attended, how has observing the discussion and impact of molecular testing on patient management altered your appreciation of the significance of your requests in this DTA?
- How has this initial experience contributed to your ability to apply diagnostic and prognostic algorithms in subsequent practice?
- Have you since been involved in situations where the choice of molecular tests significantly impacted patient outcomes or the identification of germline susceptibility? How does this relate to your reflection on this DTA?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 3 |
Outcome
Identify molecular tests request for the investigation of malignant pathologies and prepare samples for testing. |