Study Guide

Objectives

During the course, the student develops their expertise in the specialty of clinical microbiology, various microbes, the infectious diseases they cause, as well as microbiological sampling and diagnostics.

After completion of the course the student:
• familiarizes themselves with the structures, common characteristics, and factors affecting the growth and reproduction of microbes
• understands fundamental information about disease-causing microbes and infectious diseases, as well as their prevention and treatment
• understands the microbiological investigation process and can take high-quality clinical microbiology samples, as well as guide other healthcare professionals in microbiological sample collection
• familiarizes themselves with microbiological legislation and licensing practices, as well as practices for safe microbiological work.
• can assess indications for clinical microbiology studies, pre-analytical requirements, and sources of error
• can perform common microbiological analyses, diagnostic methods, understand their principles, as well as the clinical significance and reliability of test results
• applies quality control in their practice
• familiarizes themselves with available antimicrobial agents and their mechanisms of action and resistance.

Content

• Clinical Microbiology as a specialty
• Key disease-causing microbes, their structure, characteristics, and classification
• The occurrence of microbes, the most common diseases they cause, as well as their prevention and treatment
• Licensing practices for microbiological laboratory operations, infectious disease legislation, and the organization of infection control in Finland
• Collection, handling, storage, and dispatching of clinical microbiological samples
• Safety and quality management in microbiological laboratory work
• Laboratory diagnostic methods used for microbial identification and their selection
• Clinical significance of findings, reporting and registration of infectious diseases
• Resistant bacteria
• Antimicrobial agents, their mechanisms of action and resistance, and susceptibility testing

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The student can identify and define common microbes and infectious diseases, as well as their prevention and treatment. The student is familiar with the main aspects of the microbiological investigation process and some common methods for demonstrating microbes, and they know the main points of collecting the most common microbiological samples. The student can work safely and aseptically in microbiology laboratories. The student collaborates within a group, takes responsibility for their own performance, accepts feedback, and recognizes important practices within the field.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The student can explain and articulate microbes and infectious diseases, as well as their prevention and treatment. The student can outline the microbiological investigation process and the most common methods for demonstrating microbes, as well as perform the collection of common microbiological samples. The student can identify the legislation and licensing practices governing microbiological activities. The student can work safely and aseptically in microbiology laboratories and apply learned procedures. The student collaborates responsibly within a group, committing not only to their own actions but also to the group's activities, and adheres to important practices within the field.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student comprehends microbes and infectious diseases and can compare their prevention and treatment methods. The student understands the microbiological investigation process and methods for demonstrating microbes, as well as perform the collection of common microbiological samples. The student grasps the legislation and licensing practices governing microbiological activities. The student can justify their performance and integrate their learning into their actions. The student works safely and aseptically in microbiology laboratories and evaluates different approaches. The student collaborates responsibly, committedly, flexibly, and constructively within a group. The student reflects on and evaluates themselves and their work comprehensively. The student assesses approaches and alternative solutions.