Ateneo - UPO

Contents
The aim of the course is to provide the basic knowledge of diagnostic pathways of the most common infectious diseases. By means of a multidimensional approach, the student will be introduced to the diagnostic algorithms, the performance of the test used and the technological knowledge and assessment, that represent the skills needed to work in a clinical microbiology laboratory.

Reference texts for Master's degree
The basic texts used are the diagnostic pathways developed by national and international accredited scientific societies and are complete for full comprehension and guidance in the whole learning process. The updating of the diagnostic pathways by checking medical databases available online is an integral part of the training.
• Association of Italian Clinical Microbiologists (AMCLI) Diagnostic Pathways
• UK Standards for microbiology investigations (UK SMI)

Learning goals

The student will learn the fundamental logic of technology selection criteria and diagnostic methodology applied by the clinical microbiologist in daily practice.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: by the end of the course the learner is expected to develop critical analysis on ethical, organizational, technical and management issues, the real world of a clinical microbiology laboratory.

Autonomous judgment: the learner is expected to develop his or her own conscious critical judgement in choosing the most appropriate technology and diagnostic test.

Communication skills: the learner must acquire written and oral competence to communicate objectively, the ability to summarize and present results in the language of science and to draw appropriate conclusions.

Learning skills: it is expected to develop ability to read, understand and make comments on scientific texts of clinical microbiology and health technology assessment.

Prerequisites

No specific skills are required to attend the course, but good knowledge of microbiology, epidemiology and basic statistics are of help during the learning process. Good knowledge of scientific language is needed.

Teaching methods

Frontal classes, working groups and laboratory practice. The lessons will be complemented by the use of D.I.R. platform with slides, scientific articles, recommended readings, explained exercises and assessment of skill acquisition. During frontal lessons the principal diagnostic pathways and technologies in common use will be presented.During working group activities, real problems regarding clinical microbiology will be included, such as drawing up an evaluation report of contract notices, contract documents and tender specifications. Visits to clinical laboratories are planned in order to promote a real approach with the productive activity. Presentations by experts in the field of clinical microbiology are included, to improve the professional skills and to promote communication and exchange of knowledge. During the course, examinations of the skills acquired will be performed on a monthly basis.

Control of learning during class

Assessment of learning outcomes.
The aim of the examination is to test knowledge, deepen on the subject and reasoning skills developed by the learner. The final examination includes the production of a Technical Evaluation Report agreed with the student. The report is a synthesis of the knowledge acquired and will be drawn up by the learner under the supervision of a tutor chosen by the teacher. The subject to be discussed will be agreed one month before the exam session. The technical evaluation report is organized into points to be discussed. If the presentation produced will reach a sufficient score, the candidate will undergo an interview. The oral examination will include questions both on the contents of the technical evaluation report and on the topics covered in the course. The student will pass the examination if he or she will carry out correctly and comprehensively the study, compilation and presentation of the report. The highest score will be get by showing good communication skills, ability to summarize and adequate critical look. The evaluations are expressed in thirtieths and the exam is passed if the score is at least 18/30

Extended programme

The first part of the course provides the student information on the main diagnostic algorithms applied in the practice of clinical microbiology. The second part presents the technologies and innovations that can support laboratory activities. The third part presents some tools for assessing technologies and their impact on the organization, with particular reference to technology assessment. The preparation for the final exam will make use of working group experience in drawing up a Health Technology Assessment report.Diagnostic pathways

1. Infections of the central nervous system (2 hours)
2. Pneumonia (2 hours)
3. Infectious enteritis (2 hours)
4. Osteoarticular and prosthetic joint infection (2 hours)
5. Infections of the circulatory system (2 hours)
6. Urinary tract infections (2 hours)
7. Sexually transmitted diseases (2 hours)
8. Parasitic diseases

Technologies

1. Flow cytometry (2 hours)
2. Real time PCR and its applications (2 hours)
3. Total Lab Automation (2 hours)
4. Flocked swabs (2 hours)
5. Immunoenzymatic assay (2 hours)
6. Manual methods (2 hours)
7. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (2 hours)
8. Antibiogram (2 hours)

Practical guidance

1. Online bibliographic search (2 hours)
2. Principles of technology assessment (2 hours)
3. The quality system and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (2 hours)
4. Laboratory visit (2 hours)
5. Working group strategy (4 hours)

Expected learning outcomes

Acquisition of an in-depth knowledge on the concepts related to diagnostic pathways. Mastery of technical and organizational aspects in choosing technologies. Ability to apply knowledge in using essential tools for diagnostics, making the best use of available resources.
Autonomous judgment. Acquisition of autonomous judgment in the evaluation of data in primary and secondary scientific literature.
Communication skills. Show ability in extracting and synthetizing relevant information, refinement of scientific vocabulary and describing the decision-making process with adequate critical look.
Show ability to collect and present data using graphs.
Learning ability. Show ability to read, understand and comment on a scientific text both in Italian and in English.
Show ability in deepening and updating subjects or results of a research plan according to both qualitative and quantitative approaches.