Module information
Module details
- Title
- Clinical Syndromes in Microbiology
- Type
- Specialist
- Module code
- S-CM-S2
- Credits
- 10
- Phase
- 3
- Requirement
- Compulsory
Aim of this module
This module aims to provide trainees with the skills and knowledge to investigate patients with infections in a range of clinical syndromes. Trainees will respond to clinical queries and significant results and provide advice on the selection and interpretation of tests and infection management.
Work-based content
Training activities
| # | Learning outcome | Training activity | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # 1 | Learning outcome 1,2,3 |
Training activities
Respond to clinical queries/significant results related to the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected bone and joint infections. To include selection and interpretation of relevant tests and drafting of advice. |
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 2 | Learning outcome 1,2,3 |
Training activities
Respond to clinical queries/ significant results related to the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected cardiac or endovascular infections. To include selection and interpretation of relevant tests and drafting of advice. |
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 3 | Learning outcome 1,2,3 |
Training activities
Respond to clinical queries/ significant results related to the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected ENT infections. To include selection and interpretation of relevant tests and drafting of advice. |
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 4 | Learning outcome 1,2,3 |
Training activities
Respond to clinical queries/ significant results related to the diagnosis and management of patients with a suspected skin and soft tissue infections. To include selection and interpretation of relevant tests and drafting of advice. |
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 5 | Learning outcome 1,2,3 |
Training activities
Respond to clinical queries/ significant results related to the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected multi-resistant infections. To include selection and interpretation of relevant tests and drafting of advice. |
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 6 | Learning outcome 1,2,3 |
Training activities
Respond to clinical queries/ significant results related to the diagnosis and management of infection or fever in a returning traveller. To include selection and interpretation of relevant tests and drafting of advice. |
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 7 | Learning outcome 1,2,3 |
Training activities
Respond to clinical queries/ significant results related to the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected intra-abdominal/biliary infections. To include selection and interpretation of relevant tests and drafting of advice. |
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 8 | Learning outcome 1,2,3 |
Training activities
Respond to clinical queries/ significant results related to the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected invasive fungal infections. To include selection and interpretation of relevant tests and drafting of advice. |
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 9 | Learning outcome 1,2,3 |
Training activities
Respond to clinical queries/ significant results related to the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected parasitic infections. To include selection and interpretation of relevant tests and drafting of advice. |
Type DTA | Action View |
| # 10 | Learning outcome 4 |
Training activities
Draft an antimicrobial management plan for a named infection |
Type ETA | Action View |
Assessments
Complete 2 Case-Based Discussions
Complete 2 DOPS or OCEs
Direct Observation of Practical Skills Titles
- Prepare and document a sample for referral to a specialist or reference laboratory.
- Interpret laboratory results and advise on antibiotic management of an MDR infection.
Observed Clinical Event Titles
- Take a full history from a returning traveler.
- Notify the health protection team of notifiable disease.
- Speak to the infection control team regarding the management of a MDR infection.
Learning outcomes
| # | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Identify appropriate investigative strategies to diagnose and manage infections linked to syndromic presentations considering guidance and public health requirements |
| 2 | Select tests to diagnose and manage infections and interpret the results in the clinical context for patients with syndromic presentations, with consideration of laboratory quality assurance and quality control |
| 3 | Develop plans and provide advice on infection management for patients with syndromic presentations, considering infection control, guidelines and public health requirements |
| 4 | Formulate antimicrobial management plans |
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
To develop a broader understanding of their specialty practice and support the completion of assessments and competencies, a trainee should:
- Attend clinics or multidisciplinary team meetings where complex bone and joint infections are discussed to appreciate the care provided to patients and the roles of the multidisciplinary team involved in the patient pathway.
- Attend multidisciplinary team meetings where patients with diabetes and other comorbidities are discussed to appreciate the care provided to patients and the roles of the multidisciplinary team involved in the patient pathway.
- Spend time on a ward where patients with infections are being managed to appreciate the care provided to patients and the roles of the multidisciplinary team involved in the patient pathway.
- Shadow Clinical Microbiology or Virology team members who are dealing with enquiries or authorising results for patients with infections.
- Attend clinics or ward rounds where travel medicine is discussed to appreciate the range of concerns and role of pre and post travel care.
- Attend an Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy multidisciplinary team meeting to appreciate the care provided to patients and the roles of the multidisciplinary team involved in the patient pathway.
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
- Critically evaluate with reference to the evidence base, the aetiology, clinical management and prescribing strategies associated with antimicrobial therapies in a variety of clinical settings.
- Explain the mechanisms of action of antimicrobials and mechanisms of resistance and evaluate the guidance and practice for application of antimicrobials.
- Explain the epidemiology, range of surveillance tools, infection control mechanisms, and clinical investigations used in the detection and management of common tropical infections associated with travel and immigration.
- Appraise the epidemiology, distribution, investigation, and management of global infectious disease outbreaks.
Indicative content
Aetiology, clinical presentation, laboratory diagnosis and clinical management, including prescribing strategies associated with antimicrobial therapies for infections such as:
- Fever of unknown origin, including noninfectious causes.
- Bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens implicated in ENT infections.
- Bone and joint infections, including prosthetic joints.
- Cardiac or endovascular infections.
- Skin and soft tissue infections.
- Intra-abdominal/biliary infections.
- Fungal and parasitic infections.
Antimicrobials:
- Mechanisms of action of antimicrobials and mechanisms of resistance.
- The role of national bodies and professional guidelines associated with the use of antimicrobials and treatment of infection.
- The partnership between the Clinical Microbiology laboratory and other clinical specialism in the use and monitoring of antimicrobial agents and how this contributes to patient care.
Travel Medicine:
- The pathogenesis of important microbial diseases associated with worldwide travel and immigration, including food, water-borne infections, and common causes of infection in returning travellers.
- Pre travel advice, including behavioral avoidance of infections and use of malaria prophylaxis and vaccinations where appropriate.
- Presentation of commonly imported infections and their diagnosis and management.
- Epidemiology of fever in the returning traveller and reference services available to support diagnosis.
- The range and role of surveillance tools.
- Prophylactic use of vaccines.
Global Health:
- The epidemiology, distribution, investigation, and management of global infectious disease outbreaks.
- Horizon scanning by national and international bodies to identify and monitor emerging infectious diseases.
- Notifiable diseases and pathogens of national and global public health concern.
- The role of the World Health Organisation, governments, health providers and the Clinical Microbiology laboratory in the provision of information for management and treatment of microbial infections associated with travel and immigration.