Computing, Clinical Bioinformatics, Genomics and Personalised Medicine

Details

Title

Computing, Clinical Bioinformatics, Genomics and Personalised Medicine

Type

Stage Two

Module code

HPE315

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

Computing and information communications technology are constantly developing and Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to continually build on a wide range of current and new computing and ICT skills. These activities span scientific computing, hardware management, software development, dataset and network management, and the development of novel software engineering solutions in clinical science and medicine. 

Diseases and disease processes are complex and involve many interactions within the genome, across metabolic pathways and between the individual and the environment. Such considerations are important if the consequences of variations observed within an individual’s genome are to be effectively assessed. Rapid advancements in areas such as functional genomics and systems biology are now providing new insights into such processes. This module builds and extends the knowledge of the Clinical Scientist in HSST with respect to the epidemiology and genetic basis of disease whilst introducing and developing areas such as clinical bioinformatics, personalised medicine, e- health, health informatics and genomics applied within a biomedical engineering context. 

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to analyse and synthesise their understanding of computing, clinical bioinformatics, genomics and personalised medicine and apply their knowledge to the practice of Clinical Biomedical Engineering. They will be able to identify opportunities to apply their learning to develop and improve services and the information provided to patients and critically evaluate their own response to both normal and complex situations using the professional attributes and insights required of a Consultant Clinical Scientist.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the training period the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to analyse, synthesise and critically apply their expert knowledge with respect to ICT, genetics, genomics and personalised medicine and health informatics including: 

• governance and ethical frameworks in place within the NHS and how they apply to bioinformatics.
• fundamental bioinformatic principles, including the scope and aims of bioinformatics and its development.
• how bioinformatic tools and resources and genetic information can be integrated into the interpretation and reporting of test results from patients.
• the use of personalised medicine in health and delivery of medical care and clinical services.
• functional genomics and systems biology strategies and the ways in which they can be applied in medicine for improved patient care.
• e-health developments in healthcare science and the wider health care setting
• supporting computer principles e.g. hardware and software requirements for large datasets, cloud computing, network management etc.
• the range of issues encountered in the development of novel software engineering solutions in clinical science and medicine.

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to critically reflect and apply their knowledge of Clinical Bioinformatics within a Clinical Biomedical Engineering service. They will be expected to use and adapt a range of complex software techniques to solve clinical problems, validate, manipulate and present large data sets and develop web-based solutions in a complex networking environment. Together with the ability to specify and manage hardware and data management requirements for clinical applications.

Attitudes and behaviours

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to evaluate their own response to both normal and complex situations demonstrating the professional attributes and insights required of a Consultant Clinical Scientist working within the limits of professional competence referring as appropriate to senior staff and will:

• work within data governance regulations.
• support colleagues to promote the understanding of data governance regulations.
• work within a  multidisciplinary setting, transferring data appropriately.
• Keep up-to-date with advances in genomics, clinical bioinformatic and personalised medicine and other emerging technologies.