module specification

This module provides experience, knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of clinical biochemistry. It explores the rationale for laboratory testing in routine and specialised investigations, the methodologies used and quality assurance. The importance of the action of drugs, their administration and metabolism will also be covered as well as the approaches used to develops such drugs

The scope and potential of Clinical Biochemistry. Sampling, storage and safety with particular reference to whole blood; lipaemic and icteric plasma (or serum) and urine samples and the role of quality management in audits, standard operating procedures, training and competency documentation, error logging and incident reporting, validation and verification, and reagent inventories. Role of laboratory accreditation and ISO standards.

Methodology and instrumentation: qualitative and quantitative determination of analytes by enzymatic, immunochemical and chemical techniques; manual and automated (process control) methods. Near Patient Testing. & POCT. Internal and external quality control. Definitive and reference methods. Reference ranges and interpretation of results.

Core investigations: Routine and emerging diagnostics. Biochemical profiles. Electrolyte homeostasis and acid-base balance. Plasma proteins and trauma. Enzymes, isoenzymes and isoforms. Diabetes mellitus. Drug monitoring including those of substances of abuse. Principles and use of organ function tests e.g. GI tract and liver, renal. Endocrine function e.g. pituitary, thyroid, adrenal. Selected special investigations: e.g. the cancer patient and tumour marker assays; the alcoholic. Mechanism of drug action and metabolism. (LO1-3)

Information pertaining to the subject matter will be presented through an integrated programme of lectures and supporting exercises, together with some use of a problem-based learning approach and the guided use of student-centred learning resources. Lectures will be used to provide a conceptual framework. Student centred assignments will enable students to reinforce and expand their knowledge, and develop subject specific skills and competence.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practice of chemical pathology and the use of near-patient testing and point of care testing.

2. Execute specified analyses with due attention to QC and quality management, evaluate obtained and researched experimental data and communicate conclusions effectively ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

3. Produce reasoned discourse on a topical issue and show an awareness of the research interface and developing technologies

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