Fellowship in Haematology

Objectives:

• Understand the principles and practices of laboratory techniques used in haematology.
• Learn normal and abnormal blood cell morphology.

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to haematology lab setup and biosafety
• Blood collection techniques and anticoagulants
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Principles, instruments, and interpretation
• Peripheral blood smear: Preparation, staining (Romanowsky stains), and examination
• Identification of normal and abnormal red cells, white cells, and platelets
• Reticulocyte count and its clinical relevance
• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: Techniques and morphology
• Quality control and assurance in haematology labs

Competencies:

• Perform and interpret peripheral smear analysis
• Identify morphological features of various blood disorders

Objectives:

• Understand the pathophysiology, classification, diagnosis, and management of common
• Cytopenias.

Topics Covered:

• Classification and etiologies of anaemia (nutritional, haemolytic, aplastic, etc.)
• Diagnostic algorithm for anaemia (CBC, reticulocyte index, iron studies, B12/folate levels)
• Leukopenia: Causes, differential diagnosis, and management
• Neutropenia and agranulocytosis: Causes, infections, and G-CSF therapy
• Thrombocytopenia: Classification (immune vs. non-immune), ITP, TTP, DIC
• Pancytopenia and bone marrow failure syndromes
• Drug-induced cytopenias

Competencies:

• Diagnose and manage patients with different types of anaemia and cytopenias
• Interpret lab data in clinical contexts

Objectives:

• Master the mechanisms, diagnostic evaluation, and clinical management of bleeding and thrombotic disorders.

Topics Covered:

• Physiology of primary and secondary haemostasis
• Platelet function disorders (Bernard-Soulier, Glanzmann's)
• Coagulation factor deficiencies (e.g., Haemophilia A/B, von Willebrand disease)
• Hypercoagulable states (Protein C/S deficiency, antiphospholipid syndrome)
• Laboratory tests: PT, aPTT, TT, INR, D-dimer, mixing studies
• DIC and thrombotic microangiopathies
• Anticoagulant therapy: Heparin, warfarin, DOACs
• Thromboelastography (TEG)

Competencies:

• Evaluate and manage bleeding disorders
• Design treatment strategies for thrombosis and anticoagulation

Objectives:

• Understand the diagnostic approach and underlying haematological causes of lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly.

Topics Covered:

• Physiology and pathological enlargement of lymph nodes and spleen
• Reactive vs. malignant lymphadenopathy
• Infections, autoimmune causes, and neoplasms
• Diagnostic workup: Imaging, FNAC, excisional biopsy, flow cytometry
• Clinical relevance of splenomegaly in haematological diseases
• Hypersplenism and its haematologic effects
• Approach to hepatosplenomegaly in systemic illnesses

Competencies:

• Perform clinical evaluation and formulate differential diagnosis
• Understand indications for biopsy and advanced testing

Objectives:

• Gain an in-depth understanding of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of haematological cancers.

Topics Covered:

• Classification of leukaemias: Acute (AML, ALL) and chronic (CML, CLL)
• Lymphomas: Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin types
• Multiple myeloma and plasma cell dyscrasias
• Myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms
• Role of cytogenetics and molecular testing (BCR-ABL, FLT3, JAK2)
• Flow cytometry and immunophenotyping
• Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, bone marrow transplantation
• Supportive care in oncology

Competencies:

• Recognize clinical presentations and interpret relevant investigations
• Plan and monitor appropriate treatment protocols

Objectives:

• Learn the genetics, clinical features, and management of inherited disorders of haemoglobin.

Topics Covered:

• Normal haemoglobin structure and synthesis
• Thalassemias (alpha and beta): Types, diagnosis, management
• Sickle cell disease: Pathophysiology, crises, complications
• Haemoglobin electrophoresis and HPLC interpretation
• Prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling
• Role of transfusions, chelation therapy, and hydroxyurea
• Bone marrow/stem cell transplantation

Competencies:

• Diagnose and manage common haemoglobinopathies
• Interpret haemoglobin analysis and plan long-term care

Objectives:

• Develop skills in research planning, statistical analysis, and evidence-based evaluation.

Topics Covered:

• Types of research: Observational, interventional, cohort, case-control
• Research ethics and informed consent
• Study design and sampling techniques
• Data collection methods and bias minimization
• Basic biostatistics: Mean, SD, p-values, confidence intervals
• Use of SPSS/R for data analysis
• Critical appraisal of medical literature
• Writing a scientific manuscript and understanding peer-review

Competencies:

• Design and conduct research projects
• Critically analyze scientific articles for evidence-based practice