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Samuel LP, Hansen GT, Kraft CS, Pritt BS. The Need for Dedicated Microbiology Leadership in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59:e0154919. [PMID: 33597258 PMCID: PMC8288296 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01549-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical microbiology laboratories play a crucial role in patient care using traditional and innovative diagnostics. Challenges faced by laboratories include emerging pathogens, rapidly evolving technologies, health care-acquired infections, antibiotic-resistant organisms, and diverse patient populations. Despite these challenges, many clinical microbiology laboratories in the United States are not directed by doctoral level microbiology-trained individuals with sufficient time dedicated to laboratory leadership. The manuscript highlights the need for medical microbiology laboratory directors with appropriate training and qualifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linoj P. Samuel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Glen T. Hansen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Colleen S. Kraft
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Bobbi S. Pritt
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Division of Clinical Microbiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Training and assessment of medical specialists in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases in Europe. Clin Microbiol Infect 2021; 27:1581-1588. [PMID: 34260952 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is wide variation in the availability and training of specialists in the diagnosis and management of infections across Europe. OBJECTIVES To describe and reflect on the current objectives, structure and content of European curricula and examinations for the training and assessment of medical specialists in Clinical (Medical) Microbiology (CM/MM) and Infectious Diseases (ID). SOURCES Narrative review of developments over the past two decades and related policy documents and scientific literature. CONTENT Responsibility for curricula and examinations lies with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). The ID Section of UEMS was inaugurated in 1997 and the MM Section separated from Laboratory Medicine in 2008. The sections collaborate closely with each other and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID). Updated European Training Requirements (ETR) were approved for MM in 2017 and ID in 2018. These comprehensive curricula outline the framework for delivery of specialist training and quality control for trainers and training programmes, emphasizing the need for documented, regular formative reviews of progress of trainees. Competencies to be achieved include both specialty-related and generic knowledge, skills and professional behaviours. The indicative length of training is typically 5 years; a year of clinical training is mandated for CM/MM trainees and 6 months of microbiology laboratory training for ID trainees. Each Section is developing examinations using multiple choice questions to test the knowledge base defined in their ETR, to be delivered in 2022 following pilot examinations in 2021. IMPLICATIONS The revised ETRs and European examinations for medical specialists in CM/MM and ID provide benchmarks for national authorities to adapt or adopt locally. Through harmonization of postgraduate training and assessment, they support the promotion and recognition of high standards of clinical practice and hence improved care for patients throughout Europe, and improved mobility of trainees and specialists.
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Yusuf E, Ong DSY, Martin-Quiros A, Skevaki C, Cortez J, Dedić K, Maraolo AE, Dušek D, Maver PJ, Sanguinetti M, Tacconelli E. A large survey among European trainees in clinical microbiology and infectious disease on training systems and training adequacy: identifying the gaps and suggesting improvements. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 36:233-242. [PMID: 27704297 PMCID: PMC5253151 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-016-2791-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to perform a survey among European clinical microbiology (CM) and infectious disease (ID) trainees on training satisfaction, training tools, and competency assessment. An online, anonymous survey in the English language was carried out between April and July 2015. There were 25 questions: seven in a 5-point Likert scale (1: worst scenario, 5: best scenario) and the remainder as closed multiple-choice questions in five areas (satisfaction, adequacy, system, mentorship, and evaluation of training). Included were 419 respondents (215 CM, 159 ID, and 45 combined CM/ID) from 31 European countries [mean age (standard deviation) 32.4 (5.3) years, 65.9 % women]. Regarding satisfaction on the training scheme, CM and ID scored 3.6 (0.9) and 3.2 (1.0), respectively. These scores varied between countries, ranging from 2.5 (1.0) for Italian ID to 4.3 (0.8) for Danish CM trainees. The majority of respondents considered training in management and health economics inadequate and e-learning and continuing medical education programs insufficient. Many trainees (65.3 % of CM and 62.9 % of ID) would like to have more opportunities to spend a part of their training abroad and expected their mentor to be more involved in helping with future career plans (63.5 % of CM and 53.4 % of ID) and practical skills (53.0 % of CM and 61.2 % of ID). Two-thirds of the respondents across the specialties agreed that a European exam should be developed, but half of them thought it should not be made mandatory. This survey shows high heterogeneity in training conditions in European countries, identifies perceived gaps in training, and suggests areas for improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Yusuf
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. .,Department of Medical Microbiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
| | - D S Y Ong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - A Martin-Quiros
- Emergency Department, Hospital Universitario La Paz-Instituto de Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Skevaki
- University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany
| | - J Cortez
- Infectious Diseases Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,CISA, Health Research Centre of Angola, Caxito, Angola
| | - K Dedić
- Microbiology Department, Cantonal Hospital "Dr. Irfan Ljubijankic", Bihac, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - A E Maraolo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - D Dušek
- University Hospital for Infectious Diseases "Dr. Fran Mihaljevic", Zagreb, Croatia
| | - P J Maver
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - M Sanguinetti
- l'Istituto di Microbiologia, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - E Tacconelli
- Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Tübingen, DZIF Center, Tübingen, Germany
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Falagas ME, Karveli EA. World Wide Web resources on antimicrobial resistance. Clin Infect Dis 2006; 43:630-3. [PMID: 16886158 DOI: 10.1086/506443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2006] [Accepted: 05/19/2006] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances of modern technology, including the development of the Internet and the World Wide Web, have given clinicians and researches the opportunity to have immediate access to continuously updated information in various scientific fields. We compiled a list of World Wide Web resources of data from surveillance studies on antimicrobial resistance that may be useful to practitioners--especially infectious diseases specialists--as well as to scientists with a research interest in the field of antimicrobial resistance.
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