Clinical Aspects of Diagnostic Parasitology

This course is only available to students who have already completed the 4-day Laboratory Diagnosis of Faecal & Blood Parasites short course, within two years prior to taking this 1-day course. If you have another clinically-focused role or education and wish to participate in this course, please contact kelly.johnston@lstmed.ac.uk or diagnosticscourses@lstmed.ac.uk to discuss your suitability. Please note that both courses can be taken consecutively as a 5-day course.

Course overview

This 1 day course is designed for professionals that work in clinical science and require additional training in the clinical aspects of parasitological diagnosis (e.g. NHS Scientist Training Programme). It involves elements of training in our UKAS accredited Clinical Diagnostic Parasitology Laboratory and discussion-based learning with specialist clinicians. Clinical case studies will explore presentations of common parasitic infections, diagnostic pathways, clinical management and treatment. We also provide an opportunity for participants to bring previous clinical cases for discussion with staff (with appropriate notice).

Please note that this 1 day course is only available to students who have completed the 4-day Laboratory Diagnosis of Faecal and Blood Parasites. Please see the ‘entrance requirements’ tab and the separate page to the 5-day course, Diagnostic Parasitology: Laboratory Practice and Clinical Aspects, which encompasses the 4-day course plus the clinical focus 1-day course. Also, given the structure of this course, it is anticipated that there will be maximum and minimum thresholds on participant numbers. To help us manage the number of participants, please aim at finalising your application by paying the course fee by Thursday 11th June 2026.

Course content

1. Observations of processes in an active clinical diagnostic laboratory
2. Hands-on training of common techniques used
3. Case-study discussion with specialist clinicians of common clinical syndromes related to parasitic infection, including fever in the returning traveller, diarrhoea and eosinophilia.

Course Leaders

Dr Kelly Johnston – Senior Lecturer in Tropical Disease Biology

Jayne Jones – Clinical Diagnostic Parasitology Laboratory (CDPL) Manager

In addition, this course is also supported by various members of the LSTM clinical team.

Entry requirements

Participants are required to complete the 4-day Laboratory Diagnosis of Faecal & Blood Parasites short course, within two years prior to taking this 1-day course. Please note that both courses can be taken consecutively as a 5-day course.

Academic requirements

Participants are required to complete the 4-day Laboratory Diagnosis of Faecal & Blood Parasites short course, within two years prior to taking this 1-day course. Please note that both courses can be taken consecutively as a 5-day course.

It is assumed that all participants will be one of the following:

• Clinical scientist
• NHS Scientist Training Programme trainee

If you have another clinically-focused role or education and wish to participate in this course, please contact kelly.johnston@lstmed.ac.uk or diagnosticscourses@lstmed.ac.uk to discuss your suitability.

English language requirements

The course is taught in English and in a postgraduate setting. Find out more about our English Language requirements.