OVERVIEW

Clinical biochemistry is the discipline that studies the meaning and clinical use of laboratory tests, which represent a fundamental part of the modern medical-diagnostic reasoning. In the part of this integrated course dedicated to clinical biochemistry the student will be given basic notions about the principal laboratory tests used in medicine: clinical significance, units of measurement, limits of normality, dynamic excursion in pathological situations.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The clinical biochemistry part of the course will systematically address the study of laboratory medicine of the main organs and bodily functions. The course comprises 20 hours of plenary lectures during which simple case-studies will also be discussed, allowing the students to put into practice the basic knowledge acquired and test their understanding of laboratory tests.

Students will acquire knowledge about the principal laboratory tests exploring organ and tissue function and will be able to use these tests in a diagnostic reasoning. In particular, the normal range and the dynamic range of the common laboratory tests will be discussed and simple clinical studies exemplified during the lessons will provide the opportunity to use the information in an evidence-based diagnostic process.

TEACHING METHODS

plenary lectures (delivered on the Teams platform due to the SARS-CoV2 emergency) will describe the most frequently prescribed clinical laboratory tests and their use in a diagnostic process; simple clinical cases will be presented and discussed to enable students to apply the tests to a clinical setting

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Laboratory tests exploring the following conditions: Blood and coagulation disorders, Metabolic disorders, Endocrine disorders, Inflammation and infectious diseases, Renal function, Cardiovascular function, Hepatic function, Pancreas and digestive disorders, Microbiota and dysbiosis.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

on-line available (aula web) slides; Common laboratory tests - Vaughn G. Appleton & Lange

Elementi di biochimica clinica, M. Ciaccio, Edises

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ELENA ZOCCHI (President)

MONICA AVERNA (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable go to the link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Please check the module Aulaweb page for timetable updates dependent on the sanitary and epidemic situation

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a written multiple choice test (on the Teams platform or in the classroom, depending on University safety guidelines). The final result expressed in thirtieth will be weighted and averaged with the vote of the systematic biochemistry part. A minimum of 18/30 points is required to pass the test.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The questions will explore the student's knowledge of the main laboratory tests of the "clinical chemistry profile", both in terms of normal and dynamic range during organ or tissue diseases dealt with during the course. Some questions will evaluate the student's ability to conduct a diagnostic reasoning based on laboratory test results.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

face-to-face in the office (DIMES, Section Biochemistry, Viale Benedetto XV 1, 4th floor) or on a Teams platform, as indicated by University guidelines; in any case, by appointment via mail (ezocchi@unige.it)