Neuromuscular system

Details

Title

Neuromuscular system

Type

Stage Two

Module code

HLS138

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of the training period trainees will, in respect of competencies in the clinical biochemistry of the neuromuscular system, be able to:

• analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply knowledge
• perform a range of technical and clinical skills and procedures
• demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours necessary for professional practice as a consultant clinical scientist dealing with the complexities, uncertainties and tensions of professional practice at this level.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to demonstrate the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise relevant knowledge and its application to their professional practice in relation to:

• the normal physiology, biochemistry, formation and composition of cerebrospinal fluid
• the pathophysiology and biochemical disturbances associated with neuromuscular disorders like multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, psychiatric disorders and muscle disease
• the causes, investigation, diagnosis, monitoring and management of neuromuscular disorders like multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s diseases and muscle disease
• the biochemistry of psychiatric disease
• the role of biochemistry in the investigation, monitoring and management of psychiatric disease
• the normal physiology and biochemistry of muscle
• the role of biochemistry in the investigation, diagnosis, monitoring and management of muscle disease
• the role of muscle biopsy in the investigation and diagnosis of muscle disease
• the role of cerebrospinal fluid in the investigation and diagnosis of neurological disorders such as meningitis and suspected sub-arachnoid haemorrhage (SAH).

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of current relevant research, theory and knowledge and its application to the performance of the following technical procedures and laboratory skills:

• the technical aspects of the investigation of neuromuscular disorders, psychiatric diseases and muscle disease
• the results of laboratory investigations of biochemical tests in neuromuscular, psychiatric and muscle diseases
• spectroscopy of cerebrospinal fluid in the investigation of suspected sub-arachnoid haemorrhage
• the results of spectroscopy derived from the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in the investigation of suspected sub-arachnoid haemorrhage
• the results of cerebrospinal fluid electrophoresis and immunfixation electrophoresis in the investigation, diagnosis and monitoring of suspected multiple sclerosis.

By the end of the training period trainees will, in respect of the competencies in the clinical biochemistry of the neuromuscular system, be able to perform the clinical skills necessary to manage under supervision:

• the appropriate specimen collection, specimen handling, investigation, diagnosis and monitoring of biochemical tests in neuromuscular diseases, muscle diseases and psychiatric diseases
• the potential for the development of neuromuscular, muscle or psychiatric diseases based on triggers of unusual patterns of results.