Events on 26 September 2023

Authentic learning experiences and simulations are an established approach to healthcare education known to prepare students for the world of work. A recent study showed that 93% of employers believed that biomedical science graduates failed to meet employability requirements due to lack of practical and technical skills (Hussain and Hicks, 2022). Whilst placements can bridge these gaps, opportunities are limited and unpaid, restricting accessibility. Organising careers events and collaboration with The School of Health and Society, external employers, the Careers and Enterprise team and key stakeholders has enhanced the curriculum content to meet the needs of employers.

Development of the mentorship group, Biomedical Science Careers Support at the University of Salford has enabled successful career development for students. Collaborating with The School of Health and Society, the implementation of an interprofessional education event will be embedded into the curriculum. A recent project involving the introduction of Pathology specimen reception and blood transfusion simulations, allowed students to practice workplace skills, while enabling aspects of the profession to be taught that would otherwise have been impossible to teach. Introducing scenarios coupled with authentic workplace dilemmas including health and safety, quality, and problem solving, not only helps satisfy degree accreditation, but facilitating reflection also feeds into a requirement for HCPC registration and continuous professional development. Related to this, the Biomedical Science mentorship group has also introduced the trial of a ‘portfolio club’. Here students were supported by the teams IBMS portfolio verifier to begin collecting evidence towards their IBMS Registration Training Portfolio.

The impact of these activities has already been demonstrated, for instance 100% success rate with placement applications for those students who engaged in this extracurricular club. Data collected from surveys from participants and feedback from employers forms an evidence base to demonstrate the success of authentic learning experiences and improving employability. The added value of academics from professional backgrounds and cross University collaboration can be expanded to encompass further areas of biomedical science and healthcare careers, with progression to include patient contact and pre-placement professionalism training. These authentic learning experiences and simulations can be sustainably integrated into various areas of the curriculum to bridge the skills gap and improve employment opportunities to all graduates.

We are living through a world of change. COVID has had a long-lasting impact on how the next generation learn and the skills they have when entering higher education. Black Lives Matter emphasises once again the barriers to learning faced by so many marginalised members of our communities. An inclusive curriculum aims at eliminating barriers by embracing difference and fostering a strong sense of belonging. It enriches the learning experience to enable students to develop empathy, cultural competence, and responsibility for social cohesion.

Motivating, training and developing on multiple sites – the Scarborough, Hull, York Pathology Service workforce journey

"Don’t worry, you’ll be next" – have you ever said, or heard this phrase when it comes to training opportunities?

Should you have a queue? Should you make promises? Or do you risk losing staff if you don’t?

This session will discuss considerations to ensure fairness in training opportunities, from an individual and organisational perspective. It will also look at how to ensure your opportunities and training are inclusive, and support diversity.

Rapid antigen tests for malaria have been in routine use in UK haematology labs for many years now. However, interpretation of their results, especially in light of the accompanying blood film findings can still prove to be confusing.

The advantages and limitations of these tests will be explored and explained.

Despite major advances in investigating haematological abnormalities, the blood film can still be crucial in diagnosis and patient management. The first major role is the validation of an abnormal blood count and, when it is found to be invalid, finding an explanation for factitious results. Factitiously low platelet counts and factitiously high MCVs are well recognized examples.

When the count is found to be valid, an explanation might be revealed. A blood film may indicate a likely diagnosis within minutes; this can be of vital importance as in acute promyelocytic leukaemia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, Burkitt lymphoma and certain infections. Sometimes the blood film suggests an uncommon or rare condition the diagnosis of which is important but would otherwise be delayed or elusive.

Implementing a new laboratory IT system and how to avoid the pitfalls

The new Certificate of Expert Practice in Laboratory IT and Clinical Informatics

Equality, diversity and inclusion: optional extra or innate necessity? (why bother)

Sustainability is the balance between the environment, equity, and economy. It is well documented that our changing climate has severe implications for public and planetary health. As healthcare professionals, we have a responsibility to consider the way we practice and try to reduce any negative impacts of our practice.

This workshop looks at the carbon footprint of the lab and discusses what processes and practices can be adapted to reduce the carbon footprint of pathology practice. It explores the barriers to change and areas to target for improvement.