LSB655 Applied Clinical Haematology

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Haematology is the study of blood and investigates non-malignant and malignant blood cell disorders, and abnormalities of the haemostatic system leading to an increased risk of bleeding or thrombosis. In order for you to work effectively and with confidence in a diagnostic haematology laboratory. It is essential you are able to identify and investigate the less frequently encountered disorders and complex malignancy cases. This unit is positioned in the developmental phase of the course and assumes knowledge and practical skills from LSB555.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Critically analyse and interpret patients' clinical information and results obtained in a haematology laboratory, as well as potential sources of pre-analytical variation that negatively influence result integrity;
2. Define and describe frequently encountered dyscrasias and haemostatic abnormalities, and the results of investigations performed to identify, diagnose and monitor them
3. Display professional and ethical behaviours appropriate for medical laboratory scientists in the workplace and your ongoing studies at QUT
4. Communicate your knowledge and learning in a range of formats appropriate for medical laboratory scientists and a range of purposes and audiences

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit is taught using a combination of online (virtual) lectures, tutorials, workshops and face to face practical classes. Your learning will focus on the investigation and interpretation of real-life case studies, which require you to apply your learning and demonstrate your practical skills. Your learning materials and activities will be available on Canvas in advance, e.g. videos, lecture recordings, case studies, journal articles and/or questions. You should listen, watch, read or complete those before the associated class to maximise your learning. In addition to your classroom-based activities, you will also have access to self-directed online resources designed to assist you to monitor your own academic progress, e.g. self-test quizzes, discussion forum and case studies. You should also make use of Q708 to practice your morphology, differential white cell counts and blood cell recognition skills, and to reflect on the case studies and clinical scenarios investigated in class each week.

This unit is taught in a way that encourages you to acquire and develop the graduate capabilities highly valued in medical laboratory scientists by employers. These include discipline specific knowledge and practical skills, the ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve, effective written and oral communication skills; as well as the ability to work independently or as part of a team in an ethical, culturally safe and professional manner. Consequently, your learning activities (theory and practical) and assessment tasks will be focused on developing and demonstrating these skills and capabilities.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will be provided with feedback in a number of ways in this unit, including your assessment tasks, via Canvas announcements, in-class feedback sessions and while participating in learning activities with your classmates and teaching team. You can also receive immediate feedback by completing the self-directed learning activities (e.g. self-test quizzes) available on Canvas. You should use these resources to identify areas you might need to focus your studies. During, and at the end of semester you will have the opportunity to share your experiences and thoughts by providing your feedback on the teaching and content of this unit in the Student Voice Survey. Your ideas feedback and suggestions may be used to make changes to the unit (e.g. classroom activities, practicals or assessment) where appropriate to improve the learning outcomes for you and future students.

Assessment

Overview

Due to the applied clinical laboratory nature of LSB655 and requirements of course accreditation, you should attend and complete all scheduled face-to-face and/or online (virtual) practical classes for this unit. Your attendance of these classes will be recorded and you will submit your completed training/maintenance record at the end of the semester. Students with incomplete task/maintenance records will not be eligible to sit the practical component of the final exam.

Threshold assessment conditions apply to the grading in this unit. A minimum of 50% in both theory and practical assessment tasks is required to successfully complete this unit. If you fail either the practical or theory assessment components, and have meaningfully attempted all assessment tasks, and have obtained a result of 45-49% for the failed section, and your overall unit mark is greater than or equal to 50%, you have the opportunity to complete one additional assessment (designated by the unit coordinator); if you pass this, you will receive an overall grade of (4) for the unit. If you do not pass the additional assessment you will not be eligible to pass the unit and will be awarded a final grade of (3). You are advised to seek feedback from the unit coordinator prior to undertaking the additional threshold assessment

Practical Class Attendance and Assessment
Participation in the practical classes is an integral part of your learning experience in LSB655, if you are unable to attend a scheduled face-to-face and/or online (virtual) practical class, inform the unit coordinator by email and provide supporting documentation for your absence at the earliest opportunity, e.g. medical certificate. Approved absences in excess of two occasions will need to be discussed with the unit coordinator. In the case of unapproved absence from practicals, no marks will be given for related assessment.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Case Study Portfolio

To compile your case study portfolio, you will assume the role of a graduate scientist in a haematology laboratory and complete two tasks. Your first task is to report and complete six unknown cases (worth 30%). For each case, you will review the full blood count and blood film, suggest further tests (and expected results) and report your findings and conclusions (to be returned to the referring clinician). Each case will also have short answer questions to test your theoretical understanding of each condition and/or the rationale and principle of the tests and instrumentation used to investigate them. Your second task will be to work in a team to prepare and present a case study (or condition) in poster format, suitable for presentation in the workplace or scientific meeting. You will peer assess your own team and assess other team’s posters. Your topic will be negotiated with the Unit Coordinator and can be any condition studied in this unit (worth 20%).

Threshold Assessment:

Threshold conditions apply

Assessment: Examination (written)

Three (3) hour examination consisting of fifteen (15) questions that assess the theoretical learning of the unit and your ability to communicate that understanding in a written format.

Threshold Assessment:

Threshold conditions apply

Assessment: Examination (practical)

Three (3) hour laboratory-based examination, with five (5) unknown case studies to complete. For two (2) of the cases, you will request test results during the exam, that you will use to justify and explain your findings/conclusions/diagnosis. Note, you must submit your completed Laboratory Task & Maintenance Record at the end of your final practical class to demonstrate you are eligible to sit this examination.

Threshold Assessment:

Threshold conditions apply

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Costs

Cost of obtaining lab gown and safety glasses is the responsibility of the student.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Carr J.H. (2022). Clinical Hematology Atlas (6th ed.). Elsevier. (NB: the 5th ed. of this atlas published in 2017 is also suitable).

Keohane, E.M., Butina, M., Mirza, K.M., and Walenga J.M. (2024). Rodak's Hematology: Clinical Principles and Applications (7th ed.). Elsevier Saunders.

Safety and protective equipment

Practicals will require personal protective equipment supplied by each student:
1. Laboratory Gown - Rear fastening 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix
2. Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with Australian Safety Standards
3. Fully enclosed non-slip shoes

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You are required to view a Health & Safety Induction video and complete an online health and safety quiz prior to being permitted into the laboratory, to access please follow this link Health & Safety Induction. A passing score of 10/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory session. You may repeat the quiz until this score is achieved. You are also referred to the Faculty of Health's Health & Safety Web Site for further information.

If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the lecturer in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

Course Learning Outcomes

LS47 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

1. Discipline Knowledge
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Case Study Portfolio, Examination (written), Examination (practical)
2. Professional (including OHS and QA) Knowledge
   Relates to: ULO2, Case Study Portfolio
3. Ethical knowledge
   Relates to: ULO3
4. Technical proficiency
   Relates to: Case Study Portfolio, Examination (practical)
5. Interpretation and application of protocols
   Relates to: Case Study Portfolio, Examination (practical)
6. Analysis and interpretation of data
   Relates to: ULO1, Case Study Portfolio, Examination (practical)
7. Synthesis, judgement, and explanation
   Relates to: Case Study Portfolio, Examination (written), Examination (practical)
8. Scientific communication skills including information literacy and numeracy
   Relates to: ULO4, Examination (written)
9. Quality assurance
   Relates to: ULO3
10. Professional behaviours
    Relates to: ULO3, Examination (written)
11. Team work/Group work
    Relates to: Examination (written)
12. Peer Review
    Relates to: Examination (written)