Applied Laboratory Science (special laboratory diagnostics)

The course is given during the 5th and 6th semester, specialization Laboratory Medicine.

The course can be part of the following programmes: 1) Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science (M1BMA) and 2) Programme for the Biomedical Laboratory Science (VMLVH).

Specialization
G2F, First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements

Eligible to the course is a student that has successfully completed all the courses within 1-4th semester with attendence of courses within the 5th semester of the Biomedical Laboratory Science, 180 hec, specialization Laboratory Medicine.

Clinical placements at special sections within two different clinical laboratory specializations part of laboratory medicine, alternatively one of the placements at an outpatient clinic or veterinary clinic.

Organization and distribution of responsibilities: The competence of different labor groups and their areas of responsibility. Communication and cooperation within the unit and the setting. Interprofessional training.

Quality assurance: Quality manual. Accreditation. Traceability. External control programs. External revision. Internal controls/operational controls. Internal revisions, horizontal and vertical. Evidence of formal qualifications.

Test and referral: Testing, test material and test disposal. Referral management. Biobanking.

Current placements: Disease categories and laboratory examination possibilities.

Specific analyses and examinations within current placements: The clinical importance of analyses. Analysis and methodological principles. Technical processing. Result assessment and measurement uncertainty. Documentation.

Security and environmental aspects: Clothing. Personal protective equipment. Waste disposal. Hygiene. Sustainable development.

The students will increase their technical and practical skills and develop a professional approach.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• justify the importance of correct disposal of test materials
• explain the significance of the different steps that secure quality in the activity
• explain how the Swedish Biobank Law is applied
• describe disease categories as well as diagnostic possibilities and methods for treatment follow-up
• explain some specific analyses and examinations including indication and test material, analysis principle, technical processing, result assessment as well as quality assurance

Competence and skills

• apply testing ordinances and cooperate with the patient and relatives 
• handle test material in a correct way 
• plan and carry out analyses and examinations within given time frames
• process and critically interpret results
• observe and handle deviations
• communicate and collaborate with different work categories or in interprofessional learning activities
• present and discuss activity-related tasks orally and in writing

Judgement and approach

• discuss the medical importance of results attained from analysis and examination
• notice ethical problems
• plan expenditure of materials and correct handling of infectious agents, chemicals
  and waste
• discuss one's own learning and the need to develop one's competence

Clinical placement. Lectures and seminars. Interprofessional learning.

Language of instruction: Swedish
Teaching in English can occur.

The course is examined through:

• Clinical placement
• A written assignment about completed placement
• A recorded oral presentation completed placement
• Completed IPL
• Participation in a final seminar

The clinical placement is assessed according to a specific assessment template and is executed by a supervisor. Absence from clinical placement can be complemented in consultation with the clinic and the examinator. A longer absence could mean the student needs to do the clinical placement next time the course is given. Missed IPL is completed next time the course is given. Absence from presentation is complemented with a written assignment. New deadlines for seminars and writtens assignments is offered twice during the course, after that the student is referred to deadlines next time the course is given.

The examiner can decide that a student may submit supplementary assignments for examination. An assignment that is still not reaching the level Pass after two submitted supplements, will get the grade Fail. The examiner decides that if supplementary work is allowed based on the possibility to reach the grade Pass and decides the dates for an eventual supplementary. A student that get the grade Fail on the module will have to redo the whole module again, next occasion the course is given. A student that already received the grade passed on an assignment, is not allowed to submit supplementary work in order to get a higher grade.

A student who has taken two exams in a course or part of a course without obtaining a pass grade is entitled to the nomination of another examiner. The student needs to contact the department for a new examiner, preferably in writing, and this should be approved by the department unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 of the Higher Education Ordinance)

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for special educational support, where it is compatible with the learning outcomes of the course and provided that no unreasonable resources are required, the examiner may decide to allow the student to sit an adjusted exam or alternative form of assessment.

Student that failed VFU is entitled to redo the placement again. If satisfactory completion of a course or part of a course requires successful completion of a placement or corresponding training, the number of prescribed periods of placement or corresponding training shall be at least two; see Chapter 6, Section 21 HF. This option should be used sparingly and only in relation to problems with resources.

In the event that a course has ceased or undergone major changes, students are to be guaranteed at least three examination sessions (including the ordinary examination session) over a period of at least one year, but no more than two years, after the course has ceased/been changed. The same applies to placements and professional placements (VFU), although this is restricted to just one additional examination session.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

In order to get the grade Pass (G) for the full course, the student must receive the grade Pass on all the compulsory parts, the clincal placement, the written assignment and the oral presentation.

In order to get the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) for the full course, the student must receive the grade pass on all the compulsory parts and get the grade Pass with Distinction on at least two of the following components: the clincal placement, written assignment and/or the oral presentation.

Course evaluation is made in writing with help of a general course evaluation, as well as orally in dialogue with the students. The course cordinator summarises and makes an analysis of the course evaluation and provides suggestions for development of the course. Analysis and suggestions are reconnected to the students and published on the Gothenburg University's Learning management platform, and presented at the next start of the course.

Clinical placement is included in the course. Placement can take place outside Gothenburg, but preferably within the Västra Götaland region, and can entail extra costs for the students.

Hygienic requirements in the health care sector forbid that private clothes as well as rings, bracelets and wristwatches may not be worn during the work integrated training and that work in contact with the patient is always done with short-sleeved protective clothing. See also governing document "Policy and rules on dress, personal decoration or other equipment for teaching, tests, examinations and internships". Dnr G 4705/09.

The examiner can with immediate effect interrupt a student's work integrated training (VFU) or equivalent if the student shows such serious deficiencies in knowledge, skills and attitudes that the patients' trust is at risk of being damaged. When VFU is interrupted in this way, it means that the student fails the current part and that a VFU opportunity is used up. In such cases, an individual action plan must be drawn up, stating which activities and knowledge checks are required before the student is given the opportunity for a new VFU period in this course.