Module information
Module details
- Title
- Autoimmunity
- Type
- Specialist
- Module code
- S-CI-S2
- Credits
- 10
- Phase
- 3
- Requirement
- Compulsory
Aim of this module
This module aims to provide trainees with knowledge and understanding of the presentation, diagnostic tests and clinical urgency of investigating patients with suspected autoimmune disease.
Work-based content
Training activities
| # | Learning outcome | Training activity | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # 1 | Learning outcome 1,3 |
Training activities
Select the appropriate immunological assay to investigate individuals with a history of autoimmunity for the following conditions:
|
Type ETA | Action View |
| # 2 | Learning outcome 1,3 |
Training activities
Select the appropriate immunological assay to investigate individuals with a history of autoimmunity for the following conditions:
|
Type ETA | Action View |
| # 3 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,4 |
Training activities
Identify requests for a patient who requires urgent autoimmune serology that requires investigation and implement appropriate actions |
Type ETA | Action View |
| # 4 | Learning outcome 2,3,4 |
Training activities
Report/communicate results that require urgent action, and make recommendations on further actions where appropriate |
Type ETA | Action View |
| # 5 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,4,5 |
Training activities
Perform and interpret the following immunofluorescence patterns in the light of the clinical history suggest further investigations:
|
Type ETA | Action View |
| # 6 | Learning outcome 1,2 |
Training activities
Perform and interpret appropriate investigations for the detection of antibodies in coeliac disease |
Type ETA | Action View |
| # 7 | Learning outcome 1,2 |
Training activities
Perform and interpret indirect immunofluorescence for the detection of organ specific autoantibodies such as skin or adrenal antibodies |
Type ETA | Action View |
| # 8 | Learning outcome 1,6 |
Training activities
Perform appropriate solid phase methods and interpret results for the investigations of autoimmune disorders, including:
|
Type ETA | Action View |
| # 9 | Learning outcome 1,2,3 |
Training activities
Draft reports including interpretive clinical comments in light of clinical details and associated laboratory results to include five of the following:
|
Type ETA | Action View |
| # 10 | Learning outcome 2,6 |
Training activities
Interpret and problem solve EQA for assays, included in general autoimmune serology EQA scheme including an example of investigating concerns with EQA performance |
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 11 | Learning outcome 6 |
Training activities
Perform an audit on a diagnostic assay for investigating autoimmunity and participate in the ongoing monitoring of an assays performance to that verified standard |
Type DTA | Action View |
Assessments
Complete 2 Case-Based Discussions
Complete 2 DOPS or OCEs
Direct Observation of Practical Skills Titles
- Prepare and read indirect immunofluorescence for the detection of autoantibodies
- Perform and read an immunoblot for an autoimmune disease
- Perform and read a solid phase assay for an autoimmune disease
- Perform and/or interpret a neuroimmunology assay
- Interpret a returned EQA report for a scheme relevant to laboratory tests used for autoimmune serology
Observed Clinical Event Titles
- Gather a patient history from another healthcare professional
- Communicate results on a patient with ANCA associated vasculitis or GBM disease to the requesting healthcare professional and document according to local procedures, under supervision
- Appraise ANCA requests for their clinical appropriateness in accordance with guidelines
Learning outcomes
| # | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Select and perform appropriate methods for the investigation of organ specific and systemic autoimmune disease. |
| 2 | Interpret and report results for autoimmune investigations in the light of clinical details and other laboratory tests. |
| 3 | Evaluate, triage and advise on requests for autoimmunity investigations. |
| 4 | Identify and escalate urgent abnormal test results and report urgent abnormal results to the requesting healthcare professional and document according to local protocols. |
| 5 | Generate and interpret appropriate second line test requests following abnormal autoimmune serology results. |
| 6 | Practice in accordance with quality and accreditation standards. |
Clinical experiences
Clinical experiences help you to develop insight into your practice and a greater understanding of your specialty's impact on patient care. Clinical experiences should be included in your training plan and you may be asked to help organise your experiences. Reflections and observations from your experiences may help you to advance your practice and can be used to develop evidence to demonstrate your awareness and appreciation of your specialty.
Activities
- Attend multidisciplinary team meetings for an appropriate clinical specialty to appreciate the impact of diagnostic tests on patient care.
- Attend a clinic for an appropriate clinical specialty.
- Attend an event where patients discuss their experiences such as a patient day or group to appreciate the patient perspective.
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:
- Describe the key features used to classify autoimmune disorders.
- Discuss the processes of immunological self-tolerance and immune regulation.
- Explain the causes and immunopathological mechanisms of autoimmune disorders and relate these features to the clinical presentation.
- Apply integrative knowledge of the role of autoantibodies and autoreactive T-lymphocytes in the progression of autoimmune disease.
- Compare and contrast the indications and performance of laboratory tests used to investigate autoimmune disorders.
- Critically appraise the pharmacological treatments available in the management of autoimmune disorders to the immunopathological mechanisms of disease.
Indicative content
Spectrum of autoimmune diseases:
- Multifactorial; genetic factors (HLA and non-HLA); hormonal factors; environmental factors, infection
- Monogenic autoimmune disorders
- Classification features (proof of immune component, hypersensitivity reactions)
- Autoimmunity vs. autoinflammation
Regulation of immune tolerance:
- Central tolerance mechanisms
- Peripheral tolerance mechanism
- Countering self-tolerance and immune regulatory mechanisms
- Pathogenic effects (autoantibodies; autoreactive cells; immune complexes)
Pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and management of:
- Rheumatic and connective tissue diseases (SLE, Sjogrens, rheumatoid arthritis, myositis, antiphospholipid syndrome)
- Autoimmune renal disorders (anti-GBM disease, membranous nephropathy)
- ANCA-associated vasculitis
- Autoimmune skin disorders (pemphigoid, pemphigus, psoriasis)
- Autoimmune endocrine disorders (thyroid, pancreas, adrenal, autoimmune polyglandular syndromes)
- Autoimmune liver disorders (autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis)
- Autoimmune GI disorders (coeliac disease, pernicious anaemia)
- Autoimmune neurological disorders (paraneoplastic syndrome, autoimmune encephalitides, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis)