Immunology

Section 1: Information about the writer

Dr Shuayb Elkhalifa

ST6 Immunology/ BSACI trainee rep/ ESID-UK- country trainee rep

Deputy Trainee Representative School Board of Medicine,

Health Education North West,

Central Manchester University Hospitals

Section 2: Scope of practice in the UK:

The clinical work of Immunologists is largely out-patient based and involves:

• Primary immunodeficiency clinics
• Allergy clinics (food, pollen, drugs and venom allergies)
• Immunoglobulin infusion clinics for patients with antibody deficiency
• Desensitization immunotherapy clinic
• Provide opinions on inpatients and over the phone
• Working collaboratively with relevant organ-based specialists to provide optimal care for patients with systemic autoimmune disorders and vasculitis
• Depending on the particular needs of the individual trainee; attachments can be arranged in allied disciplines such as Rheumatology, Haematology, Nephrology, Respiratory medicine, HIV medicine, Transplant medicine, Histocombatibility & immunogenetics

Laboratory activities:

• Interpretation and validation of results (e.g.: electrophoresis, cellular immunology, autoantibody analysis, and allergy assays)
• Clinical liaison.
• Quality assurance and assay development

Other activities

• Attending clinical meetings and MDTs.
• Attending national training days: 3 to 4 meetings a year.
• Conferences, national & International meetings.
• Ample opportunities for research, teaching and training.