The Necessity of Prerequisite Undergraduate Microbiology Courses for Pre-Allied Health Professionals

Abstract

WA letter to the editor addressing recent concerns about the necessity of microbiology as a prerequisite for pre-nursing and pre-allied health programs.

Pre-Medical Preparation in Microbiology among Applicants and Matriculants in Osteopathic Medical School in the United States

“…Didactic elements of microbiology during pre-medical years often include basic concepts such as the biology and diversity of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa), routes and mechanisms of infection, and the effects of antimicrobial agents, while advanced microbiology courses emphasized particularly during the clinical years of health-related professions often include the epidemiology and pathology of infections, diagnostic testing, infection control and use of aseptic techniques, and antimicrobial resistance stewardship. Due to the importance of microbiology in medical education, educators have debated whether pre-medical coursework in microbiology should be a prerequisite for medical school and other allied health programs ( 3 ). Many advocates of such a requirement argue that pre-medical microbiology courses provide the basis for important medical competencies including infection control and prevention ( 3 ).…”

“…Due to the importance of microbiology in medical education, educators have debated whether pre-medical coursework in microbiology should be a prerequisite for medical school and other allied health programs ( 3 ). Many advocates of such a requirement argue that pre-medical microbiology courses provide the basis for important medical competencies including infection control and prevention ( 3 ). In addition, microbiology-related content is a significant component of medical education, and there are growing pressures to add more microbiology content to the medical curriculum as the scientific body of microbiology knowledge grows and as the emergence and prevalence of infectious diseases grows worldwide, resulting in considerable human morbidity and mortality.…”