Haematology

1. Haematopoiesis and the Spleen

• Understand the process of haematopoiesis.
• Understand the development of the main blood cell types.
• Understand the function of the spleen.
• Understand the causes & clinical significance of splenomegaly and hyposplenism.

• Understand what it means to have a "normal" result
• Understand the reasons as to why results may be "abnormal"
• Understand how blood is analysed
• Understand why and how you would do a blood count
• To be able to describe a blood film using the appropriate terminology

3. Blood Groups, Crossmatching and Transfusion Reactions

• Connect red-cell antigens and plasma antibodies with grouping, screening, crossmatching, Rh sensitisation and transfusion reactions.

• Be able to understand what anaemia is and how it is defined clinically
• Be able to understand how anaemia develops and what the causes are
• Be able to classify anaemia based on the appearance of red blood cells
• Be able to describe how anaemia presents
• Be able to describe the treatment of anaemia

• Understand the function and absorption of vitamin B12
• Understand the function and absorption of folate
• Understand the effects of a deficiency in vitamin B12 or folate
• Understand the dietary requirements for providing these required building blocks

• Understand the function of and how iron is metabolised
• Understand the effects of a deficiency in iron
• Understand the dietary requirements for providing this required building

• To be able to describe what haemoglobinopathies are and to be able to give some examples
• To be able to describe thalassaemias, including the different types and how they are caused
• To be able to describe sickle cell anaemia and the treatment for it

• Understand what symptoms are seen when the quantity of red blood cells deviates from the normal range
• Understand the different types of disorders caused by the overproduction of blood cells
• Understand the different types of disorders caused by the underproduction of blood cells

• Understand what types of changes will be seen in the blood with a systemic disease
• Understand what is meant by the term anaemia of chronic disease
• Understand the haematological changes in rheumatoid arthritis, liver disease, post-operative patients, infections and cancer
• Understand that most changes arise from one of the causes, complications or treatment of the disease