Applied Laboratory Science (special laboratory diagnostics)

The course is for exchange students who are currently undertaking studies in semesters 5 and 6 of a biomedical laboratory scientist programme.

Eligible to the course is a student who has been nominated by a partner university for exchange studies. The student needs to study biomedical laboratory science and have completed semester 1-4 in the study programme at the home university.

Command of English level 6 is also required.

Clinical placements at sections within one or two different clinical laboratory specializations part of laboratory medicine. Duration of placements is approximately 20 working days.

Organization and distribution of responsibilities: The competence of different labour groups and their areas of responsibility. Communication and cooperation within the unit and the setting. The Swedish health care system.

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.

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 within the activity
• 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
• handle test material in a correct way 
• 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
• 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.

Language of instruction: English

The course is examined through:

• Clinical placement
• A written assignment
• Oral presentation

During the course the student is requested to give an oral presentation about the student’s home university.

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.

Students who fail the clinical placement are entitled to redo the placement once. lf 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.

A student who has exhausted the maximum number of examination opportunities specified in the course syllabus will not receive any new examination opportunities in the event of a possible re-registration for the course or a new admission to the current educational program. The course management should inform students at the start of the course that examination opportunities are limited and offer the student support in preparation for the second/last examination opportunity.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

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 the clinical 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 the written assignment and oral presentation as well as get the grade Pass with Distinction on the clinical placement.

Course evaluation is made in writing with help of a general course evaluation, as well as orally in dialogue with the students. The course coordinator summarises and makes an analysis of the course evaluation and provides suggestions for development of the course. Analysis and suggestions are communicated to the students 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 may, with immediate effect, suspend a student from his/her practice placement or equivalent if the student shows deficiencies in knowledge, skills or attitudes to the degree that there is significant risk for self-injury or physically or mentally injury of another person or that patient safety or the patients' confidence in healthcare is at risk. When clinical placement is interrupted in this way, it means that the student fails the current part and that a clinical placement 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 clinical placement period in this course.