BIOB1010 Introduction to the Profession of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences Course description

The course gives an introduction to the biomedical laboratory science profession, and will connect the biomedical medical science discipline to the fundamental values that are common to all health professions. A holistic view of people is a key element, as is respect for people’s integrity, autonomy and right of co-determination. Evidence-based practice, in which research-based knowledge, experiential knowledge, and the patient’s needs are integrated into professional decisions, is introduced as a fundamental approach to professional practice.

The course covers basic knowledge about health professions and topics that form a common frame of reference for practising the various professions, for instance health legislation, communication and cooperation. Biomedical laboratory scientists’ professional practice will be elucidated with examples relating to ethics, duty of confidentiality and consent. The course also gives an introduction to the biomedical laboratory scientists’ work in the laboratory, blood sample collection, pre-analytical conditions and laboratory analyses’ role in the health service.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can describe what characterises a health profession and authorisation, and explain the concept of professional competence and professional accountability
• can explain the biomedical laboratory scientist’s professional role in a historical and future-oriented perspective, and with an emphasis on cooperation with other health professions
• is familiar with laboratory analyses’ role in the health service
• has basic knowledge of the collection of venous blood samples from adults and children
• can describe theories for good communication and strategies for cooperation in groups
• can explain the concept of culture and challenges related to intercultural communication
• can explain laws and regulations relevant to the professional practice of health personnel, with particular emphasis on the Health Personnel Act and the Patient and User Rights Act
• can explain ethical theories, professional ethics and concepts relevant to professionally sound practice of health personnel
• has knowledge of different perspectives on health and disease
• is familiar with safety procedures relating to infection and the handling of biological material
• can define what evidence-based practice (EBP) is, is familiar with the steps involved in EBP, and understands the importance of EBP in health-related decision-making
• is familiar with the different levels of the evidence pyramid and the difference between individual studies and systematic reviews
• can describe the difference between qualitative and quantitative studies and the structure of scientific articles, e.g. IMRAD
• understands the principles of responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), including ethical guidelines, source criticism, and requirements for referencing when AI-generated content is used

Skills

The student

• can make plans for and carry out small projects in groups and present the results from the work
• can perform blood collection in a professionally responsible manner and collect blood samples from a fellow student in accordance with current guidelines
• can carry out basic pre-analytical work in accordance with current guidelines, including correct identification, sampling, labeling, and handling of patient specimens
• can design and carry out an appropriate and simple search strategy for laboratory-related problem areas using the evidence pyramid
• can conduct simple, systematic literature searches in relevant professional and research databases to identify up-to-date knowledge as a basis for biomedical laboratory science practice
• can apply referencing in the Vancouver style correctly

General competence

The student

• can identify, reflect on and discuss different issues they might encounter in their future professional practice
• can critically evaluate health-related claims in the media

The course consists of the following subject areas, specified below as the number of credits:

• Ethics, profession and health legislation: 5 credits
• Communication and interaction: 3 credits
• Evidence-based practice: 2 credits

Work and teaching methods include lectures, laboratory work, and group assignments. The students practise taking blood samples and learn about pertaining waste procedures.

In order to be permitted to take the exam, the following must have been approved:

• a minimum of 80 per cent attendance in scheduled group work
• a minimum of 90 per cent attendance in laboratory teaching
• blood sample collection course
• e-learning course in waste management

Oral exam in groups of 5-8 students, up to 50 minutes.

No aids are permitted.

Pass/fail

All answers are assessed by two examiners. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum for every third ordinary examination. If selecting answers for external evaluation, the external examiner’s assessment shall form the basis for the assessment of the remaining answers.

• 5 credits overlap with the course BIO1000 The Foundation and Basis of the Health Professions
• 5 credits overlap with the course BIOB1000 Introduction to the Profession of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences
• 2 credits overlap with the course BIOB1060 Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in Health Care