Using the App

Result Interpretation training

Premium feature. Per-specialty case-based interpretation practice. Open the page from the main menu under Result Interpretation or directly at /result-interpretation, then click the specialty card you want to practise. Available specialty cards:

• Haematology — FBC patterns, blood film correlation, critical values, NEQAS-style cases
• Biochemistry — common analyte panels, units, reference ranges, units conversion
• Microbiology — sensitivity panels (EUCAST), organism identification, clinical correlation
• Transfusion — group and screen, antibody panel reading, crossmatch interpretation
• Immunology — autoimmune serology, complement, flow cytometry patterns
• Virology — serology algorithms (HBV, HCV, HIV), viral load monitoring
• Coagulation — PT/APTT patterns, mixing studies, factor assays
• Genomics — variant interpretation, ACMG classification, NHS GMS panels
• Andrology — WHO semen analysis criteria, sperm morphology and motility
• Cellular Pathology (Histology) — tissue pathology cases (also accessible as a focused module at /histology/result-interpretation)

Specialty selection is done in-page (click a card on the landing screen) rather than as a separate URL per specialty.

How a session works

1. Click the specialty card you want to practise.
2. Choose your difficulty: Routine, Specialist, or Advanced.
3. Choose your scope: All cases or filter by sub-topic (e.g. only iron-deficiency cases in haematology).
4. Each case presents the patient context, raw results, and asks you a series of interpretation questions: what is abnormal, what is the most likely cause, what would you do next.
5. Submit; the module marks your answer, shows the model answer with explanation, and adds the case to your performance history.

How sessions are scored

• Accuracy — percentage of question parts correct across the session
• Time — average seconds per case (rough indicator of confidence)
• Coverage — which sub-topics within the specialty you have seen
• Weak areas — sub-topics where your accuracy is below your overall average

Open Performance Analysis to see trends over time.

How modules align with interview prep

Most NHS Band 5 and Band 6 biomedical-scientist interviews include a technical "interpret these results" section. Working through 20-30 cases in your target specialty before an interview is one of the highest-yield uses of the Premium subscription.

Linking results to portfolio evidence

Completed sessions can be exported as evidence and attached to your IBMS Registration or Specialist Portfolio against the relevant competency. The export includes the case set, your answers, and the model answers — a verifier can see what you faced and how you responded.

References used by each module

• BSH (British Society for Haematology) clinical guidelines
• ACB (Association for Clinical Biochemistry & Laboratory Medicine) reference resources
• EUCAST 2026 v16.0 clinical breakpoints (microbiology)
• BBTS and SHOT current annual report (transfusion)
• BSI (British Society for Immunology) and ACPGBI patterns (immunology)
• UKHSA / SHA virology testing algorithms
• WHO 2021 semen analysis criteria (andrology)

Always cross-check critical-value action against your laboratory's current SOPs.