Parasitology

Details

Title

Parasitology

Type

Stage Two

Module code

HLS232

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of the training period trainees will, with respect to superficial and deep infection caused by yeasts and moulds including diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative strategies. be able to:

• analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply knowledge
• perform, adapt and master a range of technical and clinical skills and procedures and
• 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:

•  epidemiology of:
  • imported parasitic infections with an emphasis on the infections common in European practice: e.g. malaria, intestinal protozoa, intestinal helminths, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, filariasis and schistosomiasis
• • endemic parasitic infections including for example toxoplasmosis, toxocariasis, giardiasis, hydatid disease
  • parasitic infections associated with severely immunocompromised patients, e.g. microsporidiosis, cryptosporidiosis
• conditions under which infections are acquired so that the risk of infection to patients can be assessed
• clinical features and laboratory diagnosis of:
  • imported parasitic infections (above)
  • endemic parasitic (above)
  • parasitic infections associated with severe immunocompromise (above)
• use of antiparasitic drugs, including antimalarial agents, imidazoles, ivermectin, praziquantel
• diagnosis and management of toxoplasmosis in the context of pregnancy and the immunocompromised.

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, adaptation and mastery of the following technical procedures and laboratory skills to:

• plan an appropriate investigation scheme for individuals at risk of tropical infection
• examine blood, stool and other tissues for the presence of protozoa and helminths
• identify major parasitic species
• measure parasite size under the microscope
• estimate malaria parasite numbers
• select appropriate serological and molecular diagnostics for parasitic infections
• use reference facilities appropriately
• recommend appropriate treatment.

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to apply knowledge of parasitology to perform, adapt and master the clinical skills necessary to:

• advise and communicate effectively with relevant clinicians and other healthcare professionals listening, responding to questions and defending the advice given in relation to the range of parasitological infections described above.