University of Western Australia
Blood Film Morphology - A Practical Guide
University of Western Australia

Blood Film Morphology - A Practical Guide

Matthew Wright

Instructor: Matthew Wright

10,406 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

(85 reviews)

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
Approx. 35 hours
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

(85 reviews)

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule
Approx. 35 hours
Learn at your own pace
97%
Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

  • After succesfully completing the course, the learner will have achieved an intermediate level of competence in interpreting & analysing blood films.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

13 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Placeholder
Placeholder

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

Placeholder

There are 5 modules in this course

This 'Course Introduction' Module 1 describes the background to the blood film. It provides you with an overview of what takes place in a laboratory when a film of blood is analyzed. '1.1 - Course Overview' describes the background to the blood film. It explains how a FBC analyser works in '1.2 - The Analyser' and the potential sources of error in analyser results. It then explains which blood counts should trigger the making of a blood film and how that blood film is made in '1.3 - Importance of Making a Blood Film'. The '1.4 - A methodical approach to blood film analysis' lesson ends by suggesting and demonstrating a systematic method for blood film analysis. Module 1 ends with a graded 'End of Module 1 Quiz' for you to complete and a supplementary reading list.

What's included

23 videos1 reading2 assignments2 peer reviews1 discussion prompt2 plugins

This 'Red Cell Morphology' module takes you through a systematic method of examination of red cell morphology. It starts with a basic approach in '2.1 Red Cell Morphology Basics', then examines red cell quantity and red cell quality in '2.2 Describing Microcytic, Macrocytic and Normocytic Anaemias in blood films' and '2.3 Recognising and describing common poikilocoytes'. At each step, you are taught a method, provided with the theoretical framework for interpreting abnormalities, and shown examples of abnormalities highlighting their clinical significance in '2.4 Recognising and describing red cell inclusion'. 'The 'Red Cell Morphology' Module ends with a graded 'End of Module 2 Quiz' and a supplementary reading list.

What's included

22 videos1 reading3 assignments2 peer reviews

This 'White Cell Morphology' Module 3 takes you through a systematic method of examination of white cell morphology, following the template for blood film analysis in '3.1 A framework for analysing white cell quantitative disorders'. It starts by examining problems of white cell quantity, then examines the many important variants of white cell quality by using a a unique structured process for analysing an abnormal white cell population in '3.2 Analyzing an abnormal leukocyte population'. This takes you through the morphology of reactive white cells, lymphoproliferative diseases, leukaemias and myelodysplasia in '3.3 Analysing lymphoproliferative disorders', '3.4 Analysing acute leukaemias' and '3.5 Examining qualitative changes in white cells' . At each step you are taught a method, provided with the theoretical framework for interpreting abnormalities, and shown examples of abnormalities highlighting their clinical significance. You will be required to complete a grade End of Module 3 quiz and look up the supplementary reading list.

What's included

31 videos1 reading4 assignments3 peer reviews

This '4Ps of Morphology - Platelets, Pregnancy, Paediatrics and Parasites' module deals with an assortment of important specific areas of blood film morphology. It first completes the systematic analysis of the blood film by discussing quantitative and qualitative changes in platelets in '4.1 Platelets (Thrombocytopenia & Thrombocytosis)'. In '4.2 Pregnancy', we then discuss the important physiologic and pathologic changes in the FBC and film during pregnancy. The '4.3 Paediatric' lecture emphasises that children are not just little adults by showing how the normal ranges for the FBC and normal appearance of films can differ at different ages, and then discussing a framework for morphologic diagnosis in paediatric anaemia, thrombocytopenia and pancytopenia. The '4.4 Parasite' lesson concludes with a review of malaria – demonstrating the lifecycle of the parasite, the morphologic appearance of different species, and a system to distinguish between different species. You are expected to complete a graded 'End of Module 4' quiz and look up the supplementary reading list.

What's included

19 videos1 reading3 assignments4 peer reviews

In this 'Live Blood Film Analysis - Putting it all together' module, we demonstrate the use of our method for blood film analysis using videos of real slide examinations for the five cases. The presentation format for each case is similar: each case starts by providing a case history and full blood count (FBC) parameters. You are encouraged to consider a differential diagnosis (DDx) for each case. We will follow the template for blood film analysis. Finally we arrive at a morphologic conclusion and ask you how you can help the clinician reach a diagnosis based on the blood film. The case studies are not assessed. However, viewing them is necessary to see how we apply our method and integrate the concepts taught in Module 1 - 4. As this is a module putting everything you have learned together in individual case studies, there will be no graded 'End of Module 5 quiz' for you to complete

What's included

8 videos1 reading1 assignment

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.9 (51 ratings)
Matthew Wright
University of Western Australia
1 Course10,406 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Basic Science

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

4.8

85 reviews

  • 5 stars

    87.05%

  • 4 stars

    10.58%

  • 3 stars

    1.17%

  • 2 stars

    0%

  • 1 star

    1.17%

Showing 3 of 85

MR
5

Reviewed on Nov 11, 2022

RM
4

Reviewed on Mar 11, 2023

AS
5

Reviewed on Jul 21, 2024

New to Basic Science? Start here.

Placeholder

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions