Clinical Microbiology: Open Access

Examination of the translation of practical skills of undergraduate students from a multidisciplinary laboratory environment to real world practice related to infectious diseases

8^th CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY CONFERENCE

October 26-28, 2017 | Paris, France

Juliana Chiruta

Queensland University of Technology, Australia

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Clin Microbiol

Abstract:

Practical learning is a critical component of skills development in all areas of clinical microbiology, however, there are some increasing challenges faced by tertiary institution in the management of teaching laboratories to balance increasing demands on space, resources, and health and safety practices with sound pedagogy and authentic practical activities that prepare students for the real world. Hearing and Lu (2014) reported that �??inappropriate utilization of laboratory tests and errors in laboratory medicine are major concerns�?� that can lead to poor patient diagnostics, high costs of health care and inadequate treatments. Clinical microbiology laboratories serve as first line defense for patient diagnosis, detection and tracking of emerging antibiotic resistance, outbreaks of foodborne infections, and possible bioterrorism events. Poorly performing laboratories have been associated with increased healthcare costs, and poor patient diagnosis and treatment with associated malpractice claims. Published studies identified that maintaining high-quality test accuracy and accurate interpretation and diagnostics are critical tools for patient care outcomes. Literature also supports the vital importance of authentic educational studies in the higher education sector that correlates students�?? scientific knowledge and practical skills with critical thinking and analytical skills, interpretation and evaluation of data and communication of information to achieve a specific outcome. Further managing this within the new landscape of a multidisciplinary laboratory environment offers new challenges to academics, technical staff and students alike. This communication presents the relevance and efficiency with which technical, virtual and human resources and infrastructure are blended and adjusted against an authentic laboratory design to enable students to transition from disciplinary knowledge to professional practice.

Biography :

Juliana Chiruta has completed her PhD in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology and at the Department of Chemistry from The University of Adelaide. She is currently employed as a Senior Member of the professional staff in the Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. She is an Associate Fellow of Higher Education Academy (UK) and a member of Higher Education Research Network (QUT).