European Union training programme for tuberculosis laboratory experts: design, contribution and future direction

Area of Science:

• Medical Laboratory Science
• Public Health Microbiology
• Infectious Disease Control

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) control relies heavily on laboratory services for clinical care and public health.
• A shortage of skilled TB laboratory professionals was identified as a critical issue in the European Union /European Economic Area (EU/EEA).
• A specialized training program was developed for TB reference laboratory professionals within the European Reference Laboratory Network for Tuberculosis (ERLTB-Net).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and impact of a training program for TB reference laboratory professionals.
• To document the benefits and contributions of the training to participants and their institutions.
• To identify areas for improvement and future direction of the program.

Main Methods:

• An evaluation was conducted using a structured online questionnaire administered via EUSurvey.
• Participants included graduated trainees and current ERLTB-Net members.
• Descriptive quantitative analysis was performed on the survey data.

Main Results:

• The training program yielded significant benefits, including improved laboratory practices, management, and diagnostic techniques.
• Participants reported career progression and valued the established professional relationships and collaborations.
• Unique program features included a broad curriculum, targeting senior professionals, small cohort sizes, and a two-year workshop format.

Conclusions:

• The training program successfully developed leadership, expertise, partnerships, and networks to support TB laboratories.
• The initiative significantly contributed to strengthening European National Reference Laboratories in combating TB.
• Enhancements suggested include equipping participants for laboratory assessments in low-resource settings globally.