Module information

Module details

Title
Introduction to Clinical Immunology
Type
Rotation
Module code
S-CI-R1
Credits
10
Phase
1
Requirement
Compulsory

Aim of this module

This module will introduce trainees to the laboratory practices and principles of quality, analysis and basic immunology fundamental to practice as a Clinical Scientist in Clinical Immunology.

Work-based content

Training activities

# Learning outcome Training activity Type Action
# 1 Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 Training activities

Attend an immunology multidisciplinary team meeting, and reflect on the meeting

Type OTA Action View
# 2 Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 Training activities

Shadow Clinical Scientist in Clinical Immunology, and reflect on their role

Type OTA Action View
# 3 Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 Training activities

Observe a manual immunology assay, and reflect on the process

Type OTA Action View
# 4 Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 Training activities

Follow the sample pathways for a patient requiring multiple tests through the immunology lab, and reflect on the journey

Type OTA Action View
# 5 Learning outcome 1,3,4,6 Training activities

Explore an upcoming change in technology, practice or service delivery in immunology, and reflect on the impact this will have on practice

Type OTA Action View
# 6 Learning outcome 1,3,5,6 Training activities

Review the effect of external quality assurance within immunology, and reflect on how this guides practice

Type OTA Action View
# 7 Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 Training activities

Follow the pathway for a sample requiring urgent analysis through the immunology lab, reflect on the journey

Type OTA Action View
# 8 Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 Training activities

Attend an operational meeting for immunology, and reflect on the meeting

Type OTA Action View
# 9 Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 Training activities

Observe an automated immunology assay, and reflect on the process

Type OTA Action View
# 10 Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 Training activities

Observe immunology specimen reception, and reflect on the process

Type OTA Action View

Assessments

Complete 1 Case-Based Discussion

Complete 1 DOPS or 1 OCE

Direct Observation of Practical Skills Titles 

  • Under supervision, label, book and prepare a sample for analysis.
  • Review IQC performance for one assay and discuss follow on actions.
  • Complete a pipette check and manually calculate the imprecision of the pipette.
  • Set up and read a manual assay.

Observed Communication Event Titles

  • Gather a patient history relevant to the specialty from a patient, patient representative, or a member of the multidisciplinary team.
  • Present a patient history relevant to the specialty to a member of the multidisciplinary team.
  • Explain the clinical relevance of an observed assay a member of the multidisciplinary team.

Learning outcomes

# Learning outcome
1

Explore the contribution of Clinical Immunology to patient care.

2

Identify the roles and relationships of the multidisciplinary team in Clinical Immunology.

3

Describe the working practices of Clinical Immunology.

4

Examine the impact of innovation in Clinical Immunology.

5

Review the effect of legislation in Clinical Immunology.

6

Compare and contrast the practice of Clinical Immunology with other specialties.

Clinical experiences

Activities

Information:

There is no clinical experiential learning associated with this module.

Academic content (MSc in Clinical Science)

Important information

The academic parts of this module will be detailed and communicated to you by your university. Please contact them if you have questions regarding this module and its assessments. The module titles in your MSc may not be exactly identical to the work-based modules shown in the e-portfolio. Your modules will be aligned, however, to ensure that your academic and work-based learning are complimentary.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module the trainee will be able to:

  1. Discuss the functions of the immune system in health and in the protection against infection.
  2. Compare and contrast the roles and co-dependence of the innate immune system and the adaptive immune response.
  3. Explain the function of the major cells of the immune system.
  4. Explain the function of the major humoral components of the immune response.
  5. Define the principle categorisation of disorders of the immune system.
  6. Describe and critically evaluate the technical principles of the assays used to assess the components of an immune response.

Indicative content

  • Organisation and components of the immune system:
    • Cellular components (lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes/macrophages)
    • Humoral components (immunoglobulins, complement, cytokines, AMPs)
    • Molecules of the immune system (human leucocyte antigens class I and II, cluster of differentiation (CD) molecules/cell surface markers, antigen receptor molecules, pattern recognition molecules, adhesion molecules, effector molecules)
  • Innate immune response:
    • Defence barriers
    • Antimicrobial molecules
    • Pattern recognition receptors
    • Phagocytosis
    • Inflammation
    • Complement
  • Adaptive immune response:
    • Antigen processing and presentation
    • Primary and secondary lymphoid organs
    • Cell-mediated immunity and T-lymphocyte responses
    • Immunoglobulin-mediated immunity and B-lymphocyte responses
    • Primary and secondary immune responses
    • Memory
  • Disorders of the immune system:
    • Incidental tissue damage and wound-healing
    • Hypersensitivity reactions
    • Autoimmunity
    • Inborn errors of immunity
  • Assays used in clinical immunology:
    • Immunoassays
    • Electrophoresis
    • Immunofluorescence
    • Flow cytometry

Module assigned to

Specialties

Specialty code Specialty title Action
Specialty code SLS1-3-22 Specialty title Clinical Immunology [2022] Action View
Specialty code SLS1-1-22 Specialty title Clinical Biochemistry [2022] Action View
Specialty code SLS1-4-22 Specialty title Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics [2022] Action View
Specialty code SLS1-1-23 Specialty title Clinical Biochemistry [2023] Action View
Specialty code SLS1-3-23 Specialty title Clinical Immunology [2023] Action View
Specialty code SLS1-4-23 Specialty title Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics [2023] Action View
Specialty code SLS1-1-24 Specialty title Clinical Biochemistry [2024] Action View
Specialty code SLS1-3-24 Specialty title Clinical Immunology [2024] Action View
Specialty code SLS1-4-24 Specialty title Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics [2024] Action View