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Clinical TB: A Focused Clinical & Public Health Review for Healthcare Workers
COURSE FORMAT
This course will not be offered in 2024.
DESCRIPTION
This 3 day course provides a concise review of the clinical and public health aspects of managing TB. It will be of particular interest to healthcare workers and trainees in Canada, or other low TB incidence countries, who are seeking to develop or strengthen their TB management skills. Topics will include TB epidemiology in Canada, latent TB infection, the medical evaluation of potential active TB, diagnosis and management of active TB, TB in children, contact tracing, and outbreak management. Emerging topics and controversies in TB diagnosis and treatment will also be discussed. The course format will be a combination of lectures and interactive case presentations. The course faculty are nurses, public health professionals, and clinicians with expertise in TB management within the Canadian context.
COURSE DIRECTORS
Faiz Ahmad Khan, MD FRCPC MPH
Assistant Professor, Division of Respiratory Medicine, McGill University
Member, McGill International TB Centre
Medical Director, Montreal Chest Institute TB Clinic,
McGill University Health Centre
James Johnston, MD FRCPC MPH
Clinical Associate Professor
Division of Respiratory Medicine, University of British Columbia
TB Services, BC Centre for Disease Control
PREVIOUS COURSE FACULTY
- Marcel Behr, MD, MSc – McGill University
- Sarah Brode, MD, FRCPC, MPH – University of Toronto & TB Program, West Park Healthcare Centre, Toronto
- Latoya Campbell, MDCM – Ungava Tulattavik Health Center, Kuujjuaq & Kangiqsuluajjuaq
- Ryan Cooper, MD, FRCP, MPH – University of Alberta & Provincial TB Program, Alberta Health Services
- Claire Crépeau, Inf. BScN – Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services
- Richard Long, MD, FRCPC, FCCP – University of Alberta, TB Program Evaluation & Research Unit
- Linette McElroy, RN – TB educator and resource development consultant
- Dick Menzies, MD, MsC – McGill University
- Pamela Orr, MD, MSc, FRCPC – University of Manitoba & Member of the Board, IUATLD
- Elizabeth Rea, MD, MSc, FRCPC – Toronto Public Health & University of Toronto
- Kevin Schwartzman, MD, MPH – McGill University
- David Zielinski, MD, FRCPC, FCCP – McGill University
CONTENT
In Canada and other low tuberculosis (TB) incidence countries, many healthcare professionals complete their training with limited experience in the management of TB infection, disease, and outbreaks. However, certain populations in these countries have an elevated risk of TB, including some Indigenous communities, migrants, and marginalized groups. It is key for clinicians and public health professionals that work with these populations to have strong TB management skills. This course will provide an intensive review of the clinical and public health aspects of managing TB, with a focus on Canada and other low-incidence countries. By the end of the course, participants will be able to identify populations at higher risk of TB infection and disease in Canada, diagnose and treat latent TB infection (LTBI), identify and medically evaluate persons with possible active TB, treat active TB, and understand the fundamentals of contact tracing and management. Participants will also strengthen their understanding on the management of TB in special populations and settings, including Indigenous communities and outbreak settings. In addition, emerging topics and controversies in TB and LTBI management will be discussed, such as use of PCR-based diagnostics, whole genome sequencing, interferon gamma release assays, and new drug regimens for TB prevention and treatment. The course format will be a combination of lectures and interactive case presentations.
OBJECTIVES
Course participants will:
- Learn to manage LTBI in adults and children, including indications for testing, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring.
- Learn the approach to evaluation of people with possible active TB.
- Learn how to manage active TB in adults and children, including diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring.
- Learn about emerging technologies in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of TB.
- Understand the basics of diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant TB infection and disease.
- Develop an approach to contact tracing and management.
- Understand issues specific to clinical and public health aspects in special populations.
- Review legal aspects of TB control.
- Understand infection control principles in healthcare settings.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Healthcare professionals or trainees (nurses, physicians, public health professionals) involved in screening, diagnosis, or treatment.