BIO5055 - Clinical Biochemistry

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

LO1 - Critically evaluate the range of methods used for the collection and analysis of clinical samples that may be subjected to biochemical laboratory and/or Near Patient Testing analysis.

LO2 - Determine the appropriateness of biochemical investigations, including Near Patient Testing, used for screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease plus demonstrate knowledge of relevant quality assurance considerations.

LO3 - Appraise therapeutic drug monitoring and investigation of substance abuse.

LO4 - Apply the principles and practice of biochemical laboratory testing in a practical setting.

Content:

This module explores the key aspects of clinical biochemistry used to help diagnose and manage disease through analysis of body fluids such as blood and urine. This includes how measurements are performed and set up to ensure reliability of results. A major section of the module outlines the most common tests, plus the disease processes that they can used to identify and manage. Case studies are used to illustrate key processes for use of the techniques in diagnosis of a range of disorders including kidney function, liver function, glucose metabolism and diabetes, genetically inherited conditions, hormone systems, and common tests that are used in an Accident & Emergency setting.

The content of this module has been mapped to the IBMS QAA Benchmark requirements for:
- Clinical Biochemistry (Clinical Laboratory Specialism) including the range of common methods used for the collection and analysis of clinical samples; investigations of major body and organ systems - for example, renal function tests, liver function tests, tumour marker tests, bone profile tests; principles and applications of biochemical investigations used for screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease; Therapeutic drug monitoring and investigation of substance abuse.

- Near-patient testing (NPT)/point-of-care testing (POCT) (Clinical Laboratory Specialism) including principles and applications of investigations used in screening, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease using NPT / POCT equipment; application of NPT / POCT into patient pathways; relevant quality assurance considerations.

- Quality Management including interpretation of quality control standards (QC); importance of quality assurance and pre-analytical variables; understanding of the importance of external quality assessment (EQA); including basic knowledge of the purpose of quality policy, audits, standard operating procedures, training and competency documentation, error logging and incident reporting, validation and verification, and reagent inventories; laboratory accreditation to include basic awareness of UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) and International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards.

Learning and Teaching Information:

A series of 10 x 2 hr Lectures (1 per week) covering the key concepts of clinical biochemistry will be delivered.
A total of 5 x 2 hr Practical sessions will be given to introduce you to key Clinical Biochemistry techniques.
A total of 10 x 1 hr Tutorials (1 per week) will be provided to support the lecture and practical content, assessments, and general wellbeing.

Lectures
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: Full Cohort (40)

Practical sessions
Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: Full Cohort (40)

Tutorials
Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: Max 20

Guided independent study
Hours: 110

Further detail relating to assessment

Assessment tasks are designed to measure the extent to which you have satisfied the Level Learning Outcomes for your programme. Some modules, for example where there are professional body (PSRB) requirements, will also test for module-specific skills and knowledge.

Further details of assessment are available in the Assessment Handbook for your programme and in Assessment Briefs provided by Module Tutors.

Post lecture, tutorial and practical session activities submitted through Moodle will facilitate ongoing formative assessment opportunities via lecturer or peer feedback.

The Integrated Practical report will be set at the start of Semester 2 and is based on you analysing data generated in selected practical sessions of this module, the Molecular Diagnostics module, and the Cyto & Histopathology module. The data will be analysed and related to the Clinical Biochemistry, Cytopathology, Histopathology and Molecular Diagnostics covered in the associated lectures and tutorials. The report will be submitted Mid-Semester 2.

The Clinical Biochemistry Portfolio assessment will take the form of an annotated bibliography covering five peer reviewed data papers relevant to Clinical Biochemistry. Each paper will be from a list of specified disease areas that will be provided at the start of Semester 2. Tutorial sessions will cover annotation of example papers in each of the disease areas on a weekly basis, with you advised to annotate a paper of their choice in the specified disease area during guided independent study for that week. The portfolio of all the annotated bibliographies will be collated and will be submitted End of Semester 2.

The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) professional body requires students to achieve a pass mark in all assessment components for modules that cover the clinical laboratory sciences subject areas including this one. Since laboratory practical sessions contribute towards assessments these sessions should be considered compulsory. Condonement/compensation will not be permitted for this module, which contributes significantly to the benchmark statement and has learning outcomes that cannot be evidenced elsewhere for the accreditation of the degree.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 5
Credit Value - 15
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -

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