Training activity information
Details
Select and set up the correct microscopy for:
- Semen analysis
- Oocyte collection
- Fertilisation check
- ICSI
- Embryo observation
- Embryo transfer
- Embryo cryopreservation and thawing/warming
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.
Considerations
- Function of microscopic components and microscope set up
- The types of microscopy used for a range of techniques within the reproductive science laboratory
- Heated stages
- Troubleshooting
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 does success look like?
- Identify what is expected of you in relation to selecting and setting up the correct microscopy for procedures including semen analysis, ICSI, embryo observation, and cryopreservation.
- Consider how the learning outcomes apply, specifically in relation to demonstrating safe and effective practice, minimising risk, which relies on clear visualisation.
- Discuss with your Training Officer to gain clarity of what is expected of you in relation to the required type of microscopy, magnification, and illumination (e.g., Hoffmans, Phase contrast) for each specific application.
What is your prior experience of this activity?
- Think about what you already know about different types of light microscopy and their setup.
- Consider possible challenges you might face during the activity, such as achieving correct illumination, proper focusing, or selecting the appropriate objective.
- Recognise the scope of your own practice for this activity i.e. know when you will need to seek advice or help, and from whom. You will need to seek advice from your Training Officer when required, for example, if a microscopy issue is beyond your ability to troubleshoot.
- Acknowledge how you feel about the precision required for microscopy setup in a clinical setting.
What do you anticipate you will learn from the experience?
- Consider the specific skills you want to develop, such as selecting the appropriate microscope configuration for different tasks and performing accurate setup and troubleshooting.
- Identify the specific insights you hope to gain into how proper microscopy setup is essential for accurate assessment and safe execution of procedures.
What additional considerations do you need to make?
- Consult actions identified following previous experiences of microscopy setup or usage.
- Identify important information you need to consider before embarking on the activity, such as standard operating procedures for microscopy use and common troubleshooting steps.
In action
Is anything unexpected occurring?
- Are you noticing anything surprising or different from what you anticipate whilst selecting and setting up the correct microscopy?
- Are you encountering situations such as:
- You are unable to achieve a clear or properly illuminated image (e.g., due to issues with Koehler illumination, objectives, or filters)?
- The microscope or motorized stage is not functioning as expected?
How are you reacting to the unexpected development?
- How is this impacting your actions? For example, are you responding to the situation appropriately? Are you troubleshooting potential causes in the moment (e.g., checking alignment, bulbs, or condenser) to resolve the issue?
- Consider the steps you are taking in the moment, such as checking and optimizing the image quality through technical adjustments.
- How are you feeling in that moment? For instance, are you finding it difficult to resolve a technical setup issue? Is it affecting your confidence in achieving the desired view for a critical procedure like ICSI or embryo observation?
What is the conclusion or outcome?
- Identify how you are working within your scope of practice. For example, were you able to resolve the issue and achieve the desired view and illumination? Or are you needing support because a microscopy issue is beyond your ability to troubleshoot and requires senior or technical input?
- What are you learning as a result of the unexpected development? For example, are you gaining insight into performing technical troubleshooting of equipment setup or optimising image quality for different procedures?
On action
What happened?
- Begin by summarising the key steps you took when selecting and setting up the microscope for the required procedure (e.g., ICSI).
- Consider specific events, actions, or interactions which felt important, such as achieving correct illumination for optimal view.
- Include any ‘reflect-in-action’ moments where you had to adapt to the situation as it unfolded, for instance, troubleshooting a persistent image focus issue by adjusting the objective lens.
- How did you feel during this experience, e.g., focused on the technical precision required for microscopy setup?
How has this experience contributed to your developing practice?
- Identify what learning you can take from this experience regarding selecting and setting up microscopy for a complex procedure. What strengths did you demonstrate, e.g., technical ability to achieve optimal image quality and illumination?
- What skills and/or knowledge gaps were evident, e.g., unfamiliarity with specific illumination techniques (e.g., Hoffmans or Phase contrast)?
- Compare this experience against previous engagement with similar activities – were any previously identified actions for development achieved? Has your practice improved in troubleshooting common setup issues?
- Identify any challenges you experienced, such as a malfunctioning component, and how you reacted to this. This might include needing to seek advice or clarification on scope of practice regarding a technical issue beyond your ability to troubleshoot, and how you reacted to this.
What will you take from the experience moving forward?
- Identify the actions or ‘next steps’ you will now take to support the assimilation of what you have learnt, including from any feedback you have received, with regards to improving the efficiency and speed of the setup routine.
- What will you do differently next time you approach microscopy setup, for instance, by proactively verifying all microscope settings against the SOP before starting the procedure?
- Do you need to practise any aspect of the activity further, such as setting up the ICSI microscope or key learning outcomes related to safe and effective practice.
Beyond action
Have you revisited the experiences?
- How have your subsequent experiences of selecting and setting up microscopy for procedures like ICSI or semen analysis since completing this specific training activity led you to revisit your initial approach or decisions during that activity? For example, how an instance where a subsequent ICSI procedure required rapid resolution of a complex illumination failure forced you to re-evaluate the technical proficiency of your initial setup and troubleshooting during your first attempt at this training activity.
- Considering what you understand about different microscopy applications, principles of illumination, and technical troubleshooting now, were the actions or considerations you identified after your initial reflection on this training activity sufficient? How have you since implemented or adapted improvements in your microscopy setup, precision, and efficiency based on further learning and experiences? For example, how you proactively integrated observable behaviours and practices related to correct setup, illumination, and achieving optimal visualisation based on further learning.
- Has discussing challenges related to microscopy setup or the impact of poor visualisation on diagnostic accuracy with colleagues, peers, or supervisors changed how you now view your initial experience in this training activity? For example, how professional storytelling with a senior colleague about an ICSI procedure that was compromised by poor focus refined your understanding of the critical nature of technical proficiency with optical equipment.
How have these experiences impacted upon current practice?
- How has the learning from this initial training activity, in combination with subsequent microscopy setup experiences, contributed to your overall confidence and ability in technical proficiency with optical equipment, particularly in preparing for assessments like DOPS or OCEs? For example, how your accumulated skills developed in careful selection, precise setup, and basic troubleshooting of microscopes now enables you to confidently set up and use a microscope for tasks like semen analysis during observed ‘in-person’ assessments.
- How has reflecting back on this specific training activity, combined with everything you’ve learned since, shaped your current approach to using microscopes for various laboratory tasks? How does this evolved understanding help you identify when something is beyond your scope of practice or requires escalation? For example, how your evolved approach means you now routinely seek advice from your Training Officer immediately if a microscopy issue is beyond your ability to troubleshoot (e.g., major technical setup issue), recognising that maintaining optimal visualisation is critical for accurate assessment and safe practice.
- Looking holistically at your training journey, how has this initial microscopy setup experience, revisited with your current perspective, contributed to your development in meeting the learning outcomes related to demonstrating safe and effective practice, minimising risk? For example, how this foundational experience has supported your development in technical proficiency with optical equipment and attention to detail in setup, which are necessary for high precision IVF tasks.
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 4 |
Outcome
Demonstrate safe and effective practice, minimising risk to all staff and patients. |