SCIENZE BIOMEDICHE

Module Clinical Microbiology

Learning Objectives based on the Dublin Descriptors

The Clinical Microbiology module is structured to enable the student to achieve the following learning outcomes, in alignment with European criteria:

D1. Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course, the student must demonstrate the ability to:

-       Identify the structural and biological differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

-       Understand the mechanisms of pathogenicity and virulence.

-       Identify the primary etiological agents of systemic and organ-system infections, including: respiratory tract, central nervous system, genitourinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, and skin.

D2. Applying knowledge and understanding

The student will be able to:

-       Correctly apply hygiene and sanitization procedures for tools and rehabilitation environments to prevent Healthcare-Associated Infection

-       Recognize clinical signs of potential infectious processes in the patient during therapy sessions to modulate the clinical intervention.

-       Adopt standard and transmission-based precautions (protective barriers) according to the pathogen's mode of transmission.

D3. Making judgements

The student must develop the ability to:

-       Critically assess infectious risk within a rehabilitative setting.

-       Contribute to infection surveillance within a multidisciplinary team, distinguishing between colonization and active infection.

D4. Communication skills

The student will be able to:

-       Use correct technical terminology within the field of clinical microbiology.

-       Effectively engage and collaborate with other healthcare professionals.

-       Clearly communicate the importance of adhering to infection control protocols.

D5. Learning skills

The student must:

-       Be able to update their knowledge by consulting national and international guidelines in the microbiological field.

-       Demonstrate an aptitude for continuous professional development regarding emerging antibiotic resistance or new pathogens relevant to public health.

• Biological essential features of microrganisms and parasites responsible for human infections
• The most important pathogens in infections of the respiratory tract, central nervous system, genito-urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, skin and intravascular and cardiac infections

An intermediate written test will verify the student's learning level for the discipline. The exam will consist of a multiple choice test including questions about the covered topics to test the acquired skills. The intermediate Microbiology test will be executed along with the Biochemistry test. A correct answer minimum threshold of 18 will be established for each module. The exam will be considered not passed in the case of an insufficient result for at least one of the two modules, leading to the necessity to re-test both modules during the subsequent exam session. Microbiology and Biochemistry modules are considered as propaedeutic for Pathology and Clinical Biochemistry modules.