Postgraduate School of Infectious and Tropical Diseases

Integrated (i.e., core) training objectives
The trainee must have acquired satisfactory theoretical knowledge and professional competence in the clinical and instrumental diagnosis and treatment, including emergency and urgent conditions, of the most common internal medicine diseases. The trainee must acquire fundamental knowledge of the pathophysiology of various organs and systems, the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to recognize diseases affecting the various body systems, the theoretical and practical knowledge of the main areas of instrumental and laboratory diagnostics related to the aforementioned diseases, and the ability to evaluate the connections and influences of internal medicine and specialists. Therefore, the trainee must be able to recognize the clinical and functional symptoms and signs of diseases affecting various organs and systems, having acquired the fundamental diagnostic, therapeutic, psychological, and ethical knowledge necessary for a comprehensive patient perspective. To this end, the trainee must develop the ability to clinically assess the patient based on the medical history and physical examination; develop critical and analytical diagnostic skills; Become familiar with the main diagnostic procedures and laboratory and instrumental investigations; recognize and be able to address major medical emergencies; familiarize themselves with therapeutic resources to plan their optimal use and recognize their indications and contraindications, as well as the effects of interactions and potential iatrogenic effects; acquire fundamental knowledge of clinical research methodologies and pharmacological trials; and understand the fundamental issues related to prevention, public health, and social medicine. The trainee must have acquired satisfactory theoretical knowledge and professional competence in the recognition and treatment, in emergency situations, of the most common pathologies. Finally, the trainee must also have clinical and therapeutic knowledge of the most common pathologies covered by other categories of the class.

Basic Educational Objectives
Acquisition of basic knowledge related to morphological, biochemical, and physiological sciences, as well as knowledge of the general pathophysiology of infectious diseases and tropical pathology (genetics, deficiencies) and the basic disciplines specifically related to them (clinical microbiology, clinical virology, clinical parasitology, clinical mycology, medical entomology and clinical immunology, statistics, epidemiology, and hygiene), including reference to the climatic aspects of the tropical ecosystem.

General Educational Objectives
The trainee must acquire the correct statistical approach and the methodological foundations of laboratory, clinical, therapeutic, epidemiology, and community medicine, as well as the ability to continuously update their professional knowledge, including for the purpose of carrying out healthcare planning, hygiene and prophylaxis, management, and emergency healthcare activities.

Educational Objectives of the School Type
Acquisition of clinical skills (for diagnosis, prognosis, therapy and evaluation of results) and laboratory-instrumental techniques of infectious diseases (of any etiology, throughout the entire life cycle, for each organ and system, in any geographical area both in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients) and in any case prevalent in tropical areas and with limited resources; acquisition of the necessary skills both for the epidemiological study and prophylaxis of infectious diseases and for the management of clinical departments even in situations of limited resources


Mandatory professional development activities to achieve the educational objectives of this type of training include:
- having followed at least 200 clinical cases, some of which were carried out independently, involving infectious diseases in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients, acquired in hospital or in the community, including imported diseases. Of these, at least 50 cases must involve tropical diseases and at least 25 in migrant subjects;
- having developed experience in the prevention and control of infections or epidemic outbreaks developed in hospital or in the community;
- having followed the diagnostic process, with particular emphasis on laboratory diagnostics, of at least 200 clinical cases involving infectious diseases. Of these, at least 50 cases must involve tropical diseases;
- knowing how to interpret the results of microbiological tests aimed at both identifying the microorganism and assessing the drug susceptibility of bacteria, viruses, and fungi; knowing how to prepare and read a blood sample (thin smear and thick smear) for the detection of hemoparasites;
- have performed at least 50 consultations (diagnostic or preventive) in travel medicine, including the correct indication of chemoprophylaxis;
- participation in the conduct of controlled clinical trials, according to the standards of good clinical practice;
- participation in the performance of blood and other body fluid cultures, lumbar puncture, thoracentesis, paracentesis, and puncture of superficial abscesses.

The trainee may apply for the diploma after completing the professional development activities.

The trainee, as part of the training program, must learn the scientific foundations of the School's program in order to achieve full maturity and professional competence. This includes adequate ability to interpret scientific innovations and a critical understanding that allows them to consciously manage both care and their own development. This may include participation in meetings, conferences, the production of scientific publications, and periods of attendance at qualified Italian and foreign institutions useful for their training.