BMED12-118: Laboratory Medicine

This subject introduces students to the practical application of clinical laboratory medicine in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. It is designed to complement students' study of subjects such as pathophysiology, microbiology, biochemistry and critical reasoning by applying this knowledge base to the investigation of disease. The content links the differential diagnosis of various common acute and chronic diseases including renal failure, hepatitis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, skin cancer, anaemia and urine tract infection, with the testing that is commonly used, and illustrates the strengths and weaknesses of laboratory testing. The concepts of biological and analytical variation as they apply to the determination of reference intervals and the interpretation of results are explored. The problems associated with population and case based screening, diagnostic sensitivity, and the principles of evidence based medicine are also discussed.