Practical Bench Teaching for Infection Trainees
The School of Medicine and Population Health, The Faculty of Health.
Lead Academic: TBC
Course description
Discover the practical essence of microbiology with this course at the University of Sheffield Perak Laboratories. Guided by experienced biomedical scientists and consultants, this course is tailored for trainees with some laboratory experience. It offers a focused opportunity to expand and deepen their knowledge of practical laboratory work.
Trainees will encounter a series of cases with laboratory and clinical discussion points and will have a chance to perform practical skills and gain a direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS). This is also valuable practical experience that will help preparation for Part 1 and Part 2 of FRCP (Medical Microbiology). Each year the cases will be different so trainees can attend multiple courses.
Learning outcomes
Through a series of 10 case studies, the following learning outcomes will be addressed:
- Acquire practical laboratory skills commonly employed in diagnosing infections within a microbiology lab.
- Enhance understanding of culturing and identifying human pathogens in relation to relevant guidelines such as UK SMIs and EUCAST
- Broaden the perspective on laboratory practices, including laboratory health and safety procedures and equipment and quality assurance.
- Learn to provide clinical advice within the laboratory setting, including recommendations for further testing and understanding the limitations of these tests.
- Develop the interpretation of microbiology results to guide clinical practice, treatment, public health management of diseases, and infection prevention and control.
This is in line with the RCPATH infection curriculum Specialty capabilities in practice number:
7. Able to provide clinical leadership and support to the laboratory.
8. Able to use the laboratory service effectively in the investigation, diagnosis and management of infection.
10. Able to manage and advise on important clinical syndromes where infection is in the differential diagnosis.
Entry requirements
Registrar in infectious diseases/microbiology/virology or equivalent.
Course fees
The fee for the course is £200, payable using the University's online registration system.
Attendance
This is a one-day event that trainees will attend in person at the Perak Laboratories in the University of Sheffield.
Feedback
It is important to us that this course delivers for all trainees. A feedback form will be sent to all trainees after the event. Upon completion of the form the trainee will receive a certificate of attendance.
Course committee
TBC
Contact us
For further information about the course, contact PBT-AdvancedClinLabMicrobiology@sheffield.ac.uk
International scholarships
We offer a generous package of financial support for international students, including undergraduate and postgraduate taught scholarships worth £10,000 towards the annual tuition fee.
Applications are open for existing offer holders for programmes starting in autumn 2025.