Program Overview

Introduction to the Laboratory Service for Public Health

The "Laboratory Service for Public Health" course aims to provide students with the acquisition of useful tools for the prevention, management, and control of infectious and diffuse diseases, in order to protect individual and collective health by preventing and reducing the risk of infection in healthcare and community settings. The course highlights the integrated approach and close synergistic collaboration with laboratory activities.

Educational Objectives and Contents

Detailed Educational Objectives and Learning Outcomes

The course aims to:

• Provide students with basic knowledge in the field of epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis, management, control, and containment of infectious and diffuse diseases.
• Introduce topics related to the main infectious and diffuse diseases of significant public importance.
• Provide students with operational tools for the prevention, management, and control of clinical cases.
• Enable students to analyze epidemiological bases for the activation of preventive strategies and interventions.
• Develop students' ability to deepen their knowledge in the field of Public Health and related competencies in case management.
• Develop students' competencies and knowledge for the prevention, control, and containment of infectious diseases.

Expected Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Know the main infectious and diffuse diseases of major interest for Public Health.
• Recognize and identify, in relation to the type of infectious and diffuse disease, the risk of infection, measures, and provisions to be taken.
• Distinguish between different information flows of infectious and diffuse diseases.
• Apply theoretical knowledge to conduct an epidemiological investigation.
• Know and correctly execute the techniques of the entire process in monitoring infectious diseases and conduct an epidemiological investigation.
• Know and be able to compile the surveillance sheet for the specific infectious disease.
• Compare the functions and activities of a regional Public Health laboratory and a general laboratory.
• Describe analytically the surveillance systems for infectious and diffuse diseases.
• Be able to program health surveillance/screening for people exposed to infection risk and possible preventive interventions.
• Critically and actively evaluate cases presented during lessons.

Prerequisites

There are no specific prerequisites.

Teaching Methods

The course consists of frontal lessons with the aid of slides. To promote learning, active methodologies and interactive discussion of practical cases will be privileged. The total duration is 8 hours of teaching (1 CFU).

Program/Content

• Definition of infectious and diffuse disease and main pathogenic agents.
• Definition of epidemic, endemic, sporadic, pandemic.
• Functions of the Department of Prevention and the Hygiene and Public Health Service.
• Description of the surveillance and prophylaxis service for infectious diseases.
• Notification methods for infectious and diffuse diseases.
• Analysis of reference regulations in the field of Public Health.
• Main infectious and diffuse diseases of significant public importance.
• Surveillance of infectious diseases.
• Analysis of the main surveillance systems related to infectious diseases of significant interest for Public Health.
• Function of epidemiological investigation.
• The laboratory as a fundamental tool for epidemiology.
• Clinical and laboratory criteria for infectious diseases treated in class.
• Communication of infection risk in communities.
• Analysis of the National Plan for the Elimination of Measles and Congenital Rubella.
• Analysis of the National Vaccination Prevention Plan (PNPV).
• Analysis of the national and regional vaccination calendar.
• Analysis of the professional profile (D.M. 69/97) and the functions of the Healthcare Assistant in the field of Public Health.
• Role and functions of the Healthcare Assistant in surveillance and control of infection risk.
• Presentation, analysis, and discussion of practical cases and related operational protocols.

Texts/Bibliography

Teaching material provided by the teacher (slides, handouts, and other consultation material).

Teachers and Commissions

GERMANA LONGO

Lessons

Lesson Schedule

The schedule for this course can be found at the EasyAcademy Portal.

Exams

Exam Method

The learning assessment for this specific course takes place through a final oral test lasting approximately 20 minutes, by presenting a topic covered during the lessons chosen by the teacher and discussing a practical case.

The exam is taken at the level of the integrated course. The learning assessment for this specific course is done through an ORAL EXAM.

Assessment Method

The exam method allows for the verification of the following abilities/knowledge and competencies:

• The final evaluation aims to verify that students, during the oral exam presentation, have acquired the contents and notions transmitted during the lessons and are able to achieve the predetermined educational objectives.
• It prioritizes the ability and skill of students to make significant connections between the various subjects of teaching, bringing personal reflections.

Other Information

Refer to the teacher for additional information not included in the course sheet.