ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 2 Expository Class: 39 Interactive Classroom: 19 Total: 60
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Areas: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Center Faculty of Pharmacy
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable
The course seeks to train future pharmacists to interpret health status based on the results of clinical laboratory biochemical tests, with one of the following objectives:
a) Improve understanding of a health problem.
b) Guide the patient toward a speedy recovery.
c) Recommend a visit to a physician/specialist, when appropriate.
To this end, each chapter focuses on biochemical tests, appropriate samples, interpretation of results, and the limitations that must be considered when using biochemical markers as a tool for the detection, diagnosis, monitoring, or prognosis of a clinical condition affecting a body organ or tissue.
THEORY:
Classes are taught in face-to-face modality. Contens are reviewed under two topic groups:
Topic Group I: General Operating Principles of the Clinical Biochemical Analysis Laboratory.
This first group of topics reviews general aspects of sampling and analysis, discusses the main sources of error, and provides guidelines for getting started in the clinical interpretation of results.
Topic 1: Requesting and Samples.
Topic 2: Rapid Test in Community Pharmacy: Self-Diagnostic Devices.
Topic 3: Sources of Variation in Results.
Topic 4: Analytical Reports and Fundamentals of Clinical Interpretation.
Topic Group II: Functional Examination of Organs and Systems.
Presents biochemical tests for the functional assessment of the main organs and systems. Each topic addresses the profile of biochemical tests, the biological material to be analyzed, and possible interpretations of the results. They conclude with an explanation of a functional assessment strategy based on the application of the test profile.
Topic 5. Acid-base balance examination
Topic 6. Fluid and electrolyte balance examination
Topic 7. Assessment of bone and mineral metabolism
Topic 8. Assessment of kidney function
Topic 9. Assessment of hepatobiliary function and integrity
Topic 10. Clinical utility of plasma proteins
Topic 11. Heart disease: dyslipidemia phenotype and cardiovascular risk
Topic 12. Diagnosis and follow-up of diabetes mellitus
Topic 13. Examination of pancreatic and intestinal diseases
Topic 14. Early detection program for endocrine-metabolic diseases
SEMINARS
Interactive (IC) and classroom sessions. They present practical examples of the theoretical content and strategies for interpreting results.
IC-1: Sampling: Visualization of equipment and review of procedures
CI-2: Interpretation of results: possible healthy versus possible unhealthy patients.
CI-3: Clinical case. Diagnostic strategy for acid-base balance.
CI-4: Clinical case. Evaluation of an electrolyte disorder.
CI-5: Clinical case. Investigation of possible kidney failure.
CI-6: Clinical case: Differential diagnosis of proteinuria.
CI-7: Clinical case. Interpretation of the hepatobiliary profile.
CI-8: Detecting Diabetes and assedsment of cardiovascular risk from a community pharmacy.
PRACTICAL SESSIONS
Sessions will be held in the practical laboratory located in the Biochemistry Department facilities in Pavilion A of the Pharmacy Building (1st Floor). These sessions will be held in the morning and afternoon shifts. Organized by the Faculty Management Team, they are scheduled for the month of November.
Practical session 1. Performance and interpretation of urinalysis.
Practical session 2. Biochemical analysis: Quantification of enzyme activity: ALP as an example.
Practice 3. Screening for dyslipidemias in the pharmacy.
Practice 4. HbA1c determination. Diagnosis and follow-up of patients with diabetes.
An individual practice assessment will be conducted on the last day of each shift (see Assessment System).
BASIC:
a) Principios de Bioquímica Clínica y Patología Molecular. Alvaro González Hernández. 3ª edición. Elsevier. Barcelona-2019. ISBN 978-84-9113-389-6
Book with a high degree of concordance with the presentation of the topics. Suitable as a textbook for the study of the subject.
b) Contemporary Practice in Clinical Chemistry. 4th Ed. William Clarke and Mark A. Marzinke. Elsevier-Academic Press, 2020. ISBN978-0-12-815499-1.
Advanced text that updates and deepens the latest trends in laboratory medicine.
c) Laboratorio Clínico: Indicaciones e Interpretación de los resultados. Kathleen Pagana, Timothy Pagana. Primera Edición en Español. Traducido por Martha Elena Buschbeck para Editorial El Manual Moderno S.A. Mexico-2015. ISBN 978-607-448-508-0
Text translated from the English version that reviews pathophysiological and molecular aspects of the processes that affect organs and systems of the human body.
d) Lab Test online. (https://labtestsonline.es/acerca-de-esta-web)
Website of the Spanish Society of Clinical Chemistry (SEQC) and free consultation. This is a Spanish translation made by SEQC of the original homonymous document of the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC). It collects information, continuously updated, on laboratory tests in different physiological and pathological scenarios. Useful from a guide's perspective.
Quick consultation clinic for clinical laboratory diagnostic tests as basic information.
COMPLEMENTARY:
a) Bioquímica Médica. John W. Baynes & Marek H. Dominiczak. 5ª Edición. Elsevier. –Barcelona-2019. ISBN 978-84-9113-406-0
Useful for revising knowledge of general biochemistry applied to medicine. It offer a biochemical explanation for some diseases.
b) Química Clínica Edición 1: Fundamentos y Técnicas de Laboratorio. Donna Larson Eds. Elsevier-2016. ISBN: 9781455742141
It is based on knowledge of the pathophysiology of the most common diseases to present the diagnostic approach from the clinical laboratory and includes a section dedicated to the fundamentals of analytical techniques.
c) Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd Ed. Richard A. McPherson & Matthew R. Pincus. Elsevier-Saunders, 2017. ISBN 978-0-323-29568-0.
Specialized text oriented to the knowledge of analytical methodology and diagnostic interpretation from the point of view of the laboratory.
d) Mosby: Guía de Pruebas Diagnósticas y de Laboratorio. Edición 15. By Kathleen Deska Pagana, Timothy J. Pagana, Theresa Noel Pagana. Elsevier-2023. ISBN: 9788413822082.
It collects all the information of interest of the clinical diagnostic tests in a practical format, in which the tests are presented in alphabetical order and for quick access.
Knowledge:
Con 01. Know the origin, nature and how to design, obtain, analyze, control and produce active ingredients, drugs and medications, as well as other products and raw materials of health interest for human or veterinary use.
Con 02. Know the therapeutic and toxic effects of substances with pharmacological activity.Con 06. Acquire basic knowledge in clinical management, health economics and efficient use of health resources to promote the rational use of medicines and health products.
Con 07. Know, evaluate and assess problems related to drugs and medications, as well as participate in pharmacovigilance activities.
Con 08. Know the activities of clinical and social pharmacy, following the pharmaceutical care cycle.
Con 10. Know one's own limitations and the need to maintain and update professional competence, giving special importance to self-learning of new knowledge based on available scientific evidence.
Con 19. Know the structures of biomolecules and the transformations in the cell.
Con 32. Know and understand the basic fundamentals of clinical analyzes and the characteristics and content of diagnostic laboratory reports.
Con 33. Know the effects of substances with pharmacological activity.
Con 37. Know the structure and function of the human body, as well as the general mechanisms of the disease, the molecular, structural and functional alterations, the syndromic expression and the therapeutic tools to restore health.
Con 39. Know the analytical techniques related to laboratory diagnosis, toxins, food and the environment.
Con 44. Know the ethical and deontological principles and act in accordance with the legislative, regulatory and administrative provisions that regulate professional practice, collaborating with other health professionals and acquiring teamwork skills.
Con 48. Know the oral and written communication techniques that allow users of pharmaceutical establishments to be informed in intelligible terms appropriate to different cultural levels and social environments.
Skills or abilities:
S/Ab 01. Intervene in health promotion activities, disease prevention, at the individual, family and community level; with a comprehensive and multiprofessional vision of the health-disease process.
S/Ab 03. Evaluate the toxicological effects of substances and design and apply the corresponding tests and analyses.
S/Ab 05. Develop communication and information skills, both oral and written, for dealing with patients and users of the center where the professional activity is carried out.
S/Ab 09. Estimate the risks associated with the use of chemical substances and laboratory processes.
S/Ab 14. Estimate the biological risks associated with the use of substances and processes of the laboratory involved.
S/Ab 18. Promote the rational use of medicines and health products.
S/Ab 20. Evaluate the toxicological effects of substances and design and apply the corresponding tests and analyses.
Competencies:
highlight:
Comp 01. Capacity for analysis and synthesis.
Comp 07. Problem solving.
Comp 08. Decision making.
Comp 13. Ability to communicate with experts from other areas.
Comp 16. Ethical commitment.
Comp 17. Ability to apply knowledge in practice.
Comp 19. Ability to learn.
Comp 20. Ability to adapt to new situations.
Comp 24. Ability to work independently.
Comp 27. Concern for quality.
Comp 28. Achievement motivation.
Four formative elements are used:
A) Lectures. 55-minute in-person sessions tailored to the schedule and timetable approved by the Center. Designed to be taught by the instructor in the classroom, with audiovisual support.
Students participate by following the explanations, asking questions, and responding orally to reasoning questions posed by the instructor, or by writing to graded questions about the content already explained in the topic. Access to personal class notes is allowed in order to answer, but because the questions will be grade as a part of continuous assessment, interaction with other students is not allowed.
B) Interactive classes. They are face-to-face sessions of 55 minutes duration, with a calendar and distribution organized by the Academic Center. In them, the teacher presents a clinical case, or content similar to a pharmaceutical care consultation on analysis results, with which to put into practice aspects of the theory. Questions are also included for continuous assessment.
C) Practical laboratory classes. Conceived as a mandatory face-to-face activity for the acquisition or improvement of skills and interpreting results. They are carried out in the facilities available to the Department of Biochemistry of the Faculty of Pharmacy.
The practical sessions extend over a week, with daily sessions of variable duration. The Center organizes and coordinates the programming with other core subjects of the course.
For each practice, the teacher presents it in the context of the subject, guides the group through the stages of the analytical process and clarifies the calculations and interpretations. Each student will be given a summary guide for each practice, which they must complete with the information necessary to create a laboratory procedures notebook, which can be use during practical exam.
These sessions also include scoreable questions on applicable content.
D) Blackboard tutorials. Conceived as face-to-face sessions in the classroom lasting 55 minutes in seminar subgroups, intended to clarify doubts about the theoretical-practical content seen so far. Attendance this sessions are not mandatory for students. This sessions are scheduled in the calendar established by the Center's Management.
For the grading of the subject, three blocks of information about the students' learning status will be taken into consideration:
a) Continuous Assessment (CA) up to a maximum of 15 points. This includes the points earned by each student in the scoring questions, or for their outstanding participation in activities offered during in-person sessions. Class attendance will not be scored (adopting that criterium point in section "d" of article 1.2 of the Class Attendance Regulations of 24/11/2024). In the event of justified absenteeism to an scoring activity, the CA score will be prorated based on participation and the level of success achieved in the CA (in accordance with article 3.1 of the aforementioned Attendance Regulations).
b) Practical exam (PE): This is the individual execution by the students of parts of the practical development seen. It will be necessary to recognize biological materials, reproduce processes and calculations, as well as interpret the results obtained during the practices.
The estimated duration of this exercise is around 15 minutes and access to the personal "lab notebook" is allowed.
In order to pass this evaluation several criteria will be taken into account those made in the assigned shift, as well as attitude, quality of execution, depth and clarity of the interpretation, the order and the cleanliness in the dressing station. At the end of the evaluation time information of the grade achieved will be provided, whether it is a PASS (valid for the next 5 years) or a NOT PASS, in which case you can have a new chance in the following Opportunity, unless you have passed your turn.
c) Theory Exam (TE): An individual exam without access to the subject's content. It consists of 45 multiple-choice questions and 5 short-answer questions, to be completed within a maximum of 105 minutes, for a maximum score of 50 points. None of the questions will be awarded a negative answer, and a minimum of 25% correct answers per topic or grouping is required to be taken into consideration.
At all times, and for the different types of evaluation tests, the provisions of the Institution's Regulations for the “Evaluation of the Academic Performance of Students and Review of Grades” will be followed, which establishes that the fraudulent performance of activities or evaluation tests are sanctioned with a grade of Fail (0.0) in the OPPORTUNITY; without ruling out the application of any other disciplinary measure.
The final grade for the course takes into account the Assessment Opportunity and the student type, as described:
1st OPPORTUNITY:
Under the "ordinary procedure," passing the course requires a minimum score of 35 points on the ET and also meeting two conditions:
1) Obtaining the minimum score for each topic/grouping indicated on the exam.
2) Obtaining a PASS grade on the practical exam (EP).
The decimal value of the grade is obtained by adding the points accumulated in the theory and continuous assessment (P = TE + CA), which will be transformed into a decimal grade using the following algorithm: [Grade = 0.0013 * P^2 + 0.102 * P - 0.23]. The maximum grade of MH may be awarded, in accordance with the provisions established by the USC, among grades above Outstanding (9.5).
If the student fails the assessment, the overall grade will be assigned based on the score obtained in the TE, without considering the CA score, and its decimal value will be obtained by applying the aforementioned algorithm. Also, if conditions (1 and 2) are not met, the maximum grade on the student's transcript will be Fail (4.0).
For this First Opportunity, two special assessment types are considered:
1) Students with Teaching Exemption (granted by the Center). Students will be graded based on the TE and must meet the same conditions as the regular procedure. Their grade is generated as described for the Second Opportunity in its first exception (see below), and in accordance with the criteria agreed upon by the Faculty Board.
2) Repeating Students. They must inform the subject coordinator, through the corresponding link on the Virtual Campus, of the assessment method they choose: "Ordinary Procedure" or "Student with Teaching Exemption." If option was not register in a timely manner, the "ordinary procedure" will be applied by default.
2nd OPPORTUNITY:
As a rule, the procedure to be followed is similar to that described for the 1st Opportunity with two differences:
a) Continuous assessment (CA) is not used. Taking the TE, it will be raised up in a maximum value of 10 as after a requalification (RQ) procedure, in which "one extra point" is added for each of the answers to the 10 most difficult questions.
b) On this occasion, the highest grade of the Honor Roll (HR) will not be awarded.
Regarding special types of assessment:
On this occasion, the special case of any student who in the 1st OP had been qualified with a Fail (4.0) as a result of a "NOT PASS" in the PE and an overall score of 48 or more P points (ET+EC). Now, if he obtains an APTO grade in the PE retake, he will qualify with the grade that would correspond him/her in the 1st OP, except for his maximum HR grade.
The evaluation ensures that the student achieves the Knowledge, Skills and Competencies described above, as indicated in the following table:
Test type_____________ Result type_________ Result code___________________________
Continuous Evaluation...... Knowledge................... Con-07; Con-08; Con-10; Con-37; With 39; Con-44; Con-48
....................................... Skill/Ability.....................S/Ab-01; S/Ab-05; S/Ab-18; S/Ab-20
....................................... Competence................ Comp-01; Comp-07; Comp-08; Comp-13; Comp-19; Comp-20; Comp-27; comp-28
Theory Exam.................... Knowledge.................. Con-01; Con-02; Con-06; Con-07; Con-08; Con-10; Con-19; Con-32; Con-33; Con-37;
.................................................. .........................Con-39; Con-44; Con-48
........................................ Skill/Ability....................S/Ab-01; S/Ab-03; S/Ab-05; S/Ab-09; S/Ab-14; S/Ab-18; S/Ab-20
...................................... Competence................. Comp-01; Comp-07; Comp-08; Comp-13; Comp-16; Comp-17 Comp-19; Comp-20; .
.................................................. ........................ Comp-27; Comp-28
Practice exam................... Knowledge.................... Con-06; Con-08; Con-32; Con-37; Con-39; Con-48
........................................ Skill/Ability....................S/Ab-01; S/Ab-03; S/Ab-09; S/Ab-14; S/Ab-20
....................................... Competence................. Comp-01; Comp-08; Comp-16; Comp-17; Comp-24; Comp-27; Comp-28
IN-PERSON WORK................................ DURATION
Teaching Theory in the classroom .................. 30
Interactive classes in small groups ................... 8
Individual tutoring............................................ 2
Laboratory practices. .....................................16
Exams and reviews.......................................... 4
Total hours of face-to-face work.....................60
PERSONAL WORK OF THE STUDENT,……………….DURATION
Self-study, individual or group, ................................66
Solution of exercises, practical cases...................... 16
Guidance and resolution of doubts.............................4
Preparation of the laboratory notebook.....................2
Taking and reviewing the exam .................................2
Total hours of personal work of the student.............90
Learning to interpret the information contained in clinical analytical tests is like learning a new language, where vocabulary and grammar rules are, respectively, biochemical parameters and algorithms and strategies that, like sentences and paragraphs, contain the information in the message. Just as the message depends on the order and combination of words in sentences, interpreting analytical clinical results depend on the sequence and combination of tests in an algorithm. This information can be useful, from the perspective of a professional pharmacist, to detect a health problem, monitoring the progression of the disease, or evaluating the effectiveness of the therapeutic response.
I highly recommend understanding "why?", "what for?", and "how?" of changes in biochemical markers in different clinic-pathological situations, as this will make it easier to remember "where to use them" and "what information" they provide.
Active participation and reviewing the study material daily, or failing that, weekly, are highly recommended. This serves two aims:
1. Have the necessary information for the Continuous Assessment activities, which will improve the final grade of those who pass the theory exam.
2. Identify the most difficult sections of the syllabus that require tutoring.
It is also advisable to frequently visit the online course supplement, which, in addition to serving as a communication channel between faculty and students, also contains articles and other information that complements the explanations given in class.
To take this subject, sufficient knowledge of Analytical Chemistry and Instrumental Techniques is required, as well as Biochemistry I and II, Immunology, Human Physiology I and II and Pathophysiology.
Manuel Felix Camiña Darriba
Coordinador/a- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Area
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Phone
- 881814933
- felix.camina [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Lisa Kay Busch
- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Area
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- lisa.busch [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: Temporary PhD professor
Juan Jose Nieto Fontarigo
- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Area
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Phone
- 881816936
- juanjose.nieto.fontarigo [at] usc.es
- Category
- Researcher: Ramón y Cajal
Ricardo Villa Bellosta
- Department
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Area
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Phone
- 881815370
- ricardo.villa [at] usc.es
- Category
- Researcher: Ramón y Cajal
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo A/CLE_01 | Galician | 5035 Classroom 6 Faculty of Law |
| 16:00-17:00 | Grupo B/CLE_02 | Galician | 5035 Classroom 6 Faculty of Law |
| Tuesday | |||
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo A/CLE_01 | Galician | 5035 Classroom 6 Faculty of Law |
| 16:00-17:00 | Grupo B/CLE_02 | Galician | 5035 Classroom 6 Faculty of Law |
| Wednesday | |||
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo A/CLE_01 | Galician | 5035 Classroom 6 Faculty of Law |
| 16:00-17:00 | Grupo B/CLE_02 | Galician | 5035 Classroom 6 Faculty of Law |
| Thursday | |||
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo A/CLE_01 | Galician | 5035 Classroom 6 Faculty of Law |
| 16:00-17:00 | Grupo B/CLE_02 | Galician | 5035 Classroom 6 Faculty of Law |
| Friday | |||
| 10:00-11:00 | Grupo A/CLE_01 | Galician | 5035 Classroom 6 Faculty of Law |
| 16:00-17:00 | Grupo B/CLE_02 | Galician | 5035 Classroom 6 Faculty of Law |