Training activity information
Details
Interpret, annotate and produce a full factual report in a patient suffering from one of the following conditions: Hypoxic brain injury Status epilepticus Altered mental state of unexplained cause Subarachnoid haemorrhage Encephalitis Traumatic brain injury
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
Range of clinical features and EEG abnormalities commonly associated with disorders Pathophysiology Reporting urgent findings Clinical context Effect of medication on EEG Patient referrals Scope of practice and escalation Artefacts Record keeping and documentation
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
- Ensure you have a strong foundational knowledge of normal and abnormal EEG patterns seen in adults and the specific EEG features associated with hypoxic brain injury, status epilepticus, altered mental state, subarachnoid haemorrhage, encephalitis, and traumatic brain injury. What do you need to know about standardised EEG terminology and annotation guidelines for reporting in the intensive care setting? What level of clinical information about the patient will you need to effectively interpret the EEG and produce a relevant report? Are there any specific reporting templates or guidelines you need to be aware of within your department?
- What specific skills in EEG interpretation, annotation, and report writing do you want to develop or demonstrate? How do you anticipate improving your ability to recognise and differentiate between various pathological EEG patterns seen in critically ill patients? What challenges do you anticipate in correlating the EEG findings with the clinical presentation of the patient? How do you expect to develop your skills in documenting EEG findings clearly and concisely in a factual report that is appropriate for the clinical context?
- Discuss the specific patient case and the EEG recording with your training officer to understand the clinical background and any specific points of interest. Review relevant literature and case examples of EEG interpretation in patients with the chosen condition. Familiarise yourself with the EEG machine’s annotation tools and reporting functions. Consider the structure and content of a full factual EEG report and how to present the findings in a clear and logical manner.
In action
- How are you approaching the interpretation of the EEG recording, the annotation of significant features, and the production of the factual report for this adult patient? Why are you focusing on specific EEG patterns or trends? What decisions are you making regarding the significance of certain EEG findings and how to accurately represent them in your annotation and report? What aspects of EEG interpretation and reporting feel more familiar, and what requires more careful analysis and referencing of established criteria or guidelines?
- How effectively are you identifying and annotating the key features relevant to the patient’s condition within the EEG tracing? What challenges are you encountering in differentiating between normal variants, artefacts, and pathological activity, or in structuring your report logically and comprehensively? What can you learn about the EEG manifestations of these critical conditions as you interpret and report on this recording? How does this interpretation and reporting task relate to your existing knowledge of EEG patterns and their clinical significance?
- Are there alternative interpretations of certain EEG features that you should consider based on the clinical context and available information? What support or resources (e.g., reference texts, discussions with senior colleagues) might help you clarify any ambiguous findings or improve the accuracy of your report? Are you ensuring your report is factual, uses standardised terminology, and provides a clear and concise summary of the EEG findings?
On action
- Describe the key features of the EEG you observed for the specific condition. What were the main challenges you faced in interpreting and annotating the EEG? What key information did you include in your factual report? How did you ensure your interpretation and report were accurate and relevant to the clinical context?
- What did you learn about the EEG patterns associated with the specific condition you analysed? Did you identify areas where your interpretation skills need further development? What did you learn about the process of producing a clear and comprehensive factual report? How does this relate to the indicative content regarding common EEG patterns in the critically ill?
- What specific actions will you take to improve your EEG interpretation and annotation skills for these types of conditions? How will you ensure your future reports are comprehensive and clinically relevant? What resources or further training would be beneficial for enhancing your EEG interpretation skills?
Beyond action
- Have you since interpreted, annotated, and reported on EEG recordings from patients with similar conditions? Have you compared your initial reports with feedback received from senior colleagues or supervisors? How has your reporting style evolved? Have you reviewed the clinical context and outcomes of the patients you reported on to understand the significance of the EEG findings?
- Has your ability to identify key EEG features and patterns relevant to these conditions improved since this DTA? Are you more confident in annotating EEG changes and correlating them with clinical information? How has this reporting experience influenced your understanding of the communication of EEG findings to multidisciplinary teams?
- What specific aspects of EEG interpretation and reporting for these critical care conditions do you aim to further develop? How will the skills gained in this activity support your ability to contribute effectively to patient management discussions and clinical decision-making?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Identify features of normal and abnormal adult and paediatric EEGs within the intensive care setting. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Demonstrate effective and compassionate communication skills with all stakeholders including patients and the multidisciplinary team. |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Generate a range of factual reports on a range of conditions. |