Last 2009, Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency funded TRANSMED project, a curriculum development to design a European master program in Trasfusional Medicine and Cell and Tissue Therapy.

The Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain) coordinate this initiative that counts with the participations of Doctor Robert Foundation and Blood and Tissue Bank of Catalonia (Spain), Université de Liège (Belgium), the Leids Universitair Medish Centrum (The Netherlands), the Universitäsklinikum Düsseldorf (Alemanya), and different European institutions and blood banks such as the European School of Hematology (France), the Foundation Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico-Mangiagalli e Regina Elena (Italy) and the José Carreras Stammzellbank (Germany).

Once the Transmed project has ended , EMTACT (European Master on Transfusion Medicine and Advanced Cell Therapies) is born.

The current concept of Transfusion medicine does not only focus on the transfusion of blood components but also other activities such as hematopoietic transplants, cell and tissue therapy and immunotherapy. In addition, Transfusion medicine relies on more and more sophisticated laboratories to minimise the risks of disease transmissions, to maximise the compatibility of cells and tissues and ascertain the causes of adverse immunological reactions or not. New diseases and new technologies which interest both specialists in Transfusion medicine as well as in other health specializations.

The aim of the Master's programme is to provide a broad training in Transfusion medicine and associated fields so that students acquire the necessary skills to work in transfusion centres and also to carry out research in the related areas or develop technically qualified projects in the company sector.

Have a relevant BSc (for example Medicine, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences, Biology) or a Bachelor¿s degree with relevant course work, or its equivalent, in another relevant (bio-medical) discipline from a recognised university of good standing.
Insufficient previous education (e.g. a non-relevant BSc) may be compensated by sufficient professional experience in blood transfusion, blood banking, or cellular and tissue therapy, on the grounds of a decision to that effect taken by the board of admission
To be sufficiently proficient in English, to be assessed by the Board of Admissions. This means to submit proof of:
- IELTS score 6.5; or TOEFL score 233 (computer-based), 577 (paper-based) or 91 (internet-based);
- C1 level within CEF (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
- Completed previous education in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia or any other country providing bachelor education in English, or if they have obtained an International Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate diploma.

According to the different modules, the learning outcomes are the following ones:

MODULE 1:
- To identify main needs in donor recruitment/fidelization.
- To achieve Communication skills/marketing skills.
- To know the key concepts of European Regulation and how they translate in daily job.
- To describe exclusion / inclusion criteria.
- To explain how to evaluate the donor questionnaire and how to perform the interview and physical examination.
- To categorize different kinds of donation and factors affecting the quality of the blood product
- To interpret the significance of the different infectious markers in the screening lab.
- To construct strategies for blood safety based on epidemiological data, emerging infectious agents, out brakes.
- To know the different methodologies for blood production.
- To define quality control indicators for blood product efficacy.

MODULE 2:
- To apply the legal aspects of transfusion.
- To know the bases of hemopoiesis and its physiopathology.
- To interpret pre-transfusion test.
- To know and identify the indications to carry out a transfusion.
- To know the adverse effects of transfusion.
- To apply the correct actuation to the adverse effect.
- To revise alternative to transfusion.
- To describe the technical principles of the aphaeresis.
- To know the candidate pathological conditions to therapeutical aphaeresis.
- To identify clinical conditions to use plasma derivates.

MODULE 4:
- To understand the different concepts and levels of ex vivo cell manipulation.
- To know the basic concepts of stem cell biology.
- To achieve a complete knowledge on HSC processing and clinical application.
- To know the biological and technical basis of cellular immunotherapy.
- To know the state of art of the different concepts of regenerative medicine.
- To know and describe the different concepts and technical processes of cordbloodbanking.
- Toknowanddescribethedifferentconcepts and processes of tissue banking.
- To acquire general concepts on bio bank structure and management.
- To identify and know how to apply quality assurance systems according to standards of different accreditation organizations.
- To identify and know how to apply regulations according to the different national or international situations.
- To develop attitudes coherent with the medical ethical code.

MODULE 5:
- To identify the basic characteristics of a health system.
- To know the most important health systems
- To reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of different health systems.
- To define the main concepts of strategic management.
- To understand the phases and patterns of strategic planning process.
- To acquire tools for analysis, diagnosis and decision making in the field of strategic planning.
- To know the basis for the deployment of the strategy throughout the organization.
- To understand and analyze the main financial statements (balance sheet, income statement and economic and financial ratios)
- To identify major cost systems.
- To know the stages of the budget process.
- To identify the stakeholders in an organization.
- To know the functions and areas of human resources for proper management of people.
- To identify the key skill of leadership.
- To know the different systems of quality management.
- To know how to adapt the management system.
- To assess the implementation of a system of quality management as a tool for continuous improvement.
- To know the philosophy of marketing and strategic dimension in the company.
- To identify the key concepts of marketing.
- To know the elements of a marketing plan.
- To apply the knowledge acquired in the analysis of a marketing strategy.
- To understand what means the environmental management.
- To understand what it means for a company to besocially responsible.
- To knowwhat can bedone within thecompany tobesociallyresponsible.

The achievement of the competences of the master will promote:

- Work in transfusion centers.
- Work in transfusion services inside hospitals.
- Work in private companies of the field.

- To select, assist donors and ensure their long term fidelity.
- To design safe strategies on the blood donation processes according to European regulation.
- To identify and analyse quality indicators in the different methodologies of blood components production.
- To safety select blood components transfusion with especial attention to the management of possible adverse reactions.
immuno-hematologic (adverse) effects of transfusion.
- To define laboratory strategies for the diagnostic of haemolytic disease, immune cytopenias, and other immuno-hematologic (adverse) effects of transfusion.
- To describe compatible blood selection procedures for these disorders.
- To apply current knowledge on the biological principles of cellular therapies and regenerative medicine to medical practice.
- To acquire an integrated overall vision of the management of the Blood and Tissue Banks and other cell therapy organisations.
- To design and develop research along reliable methodologies.
- To analyse and communicate results obtained from research studies.
- To perform practical work related to the previously acquired knowledge in the different aspects of Blood banking, Tissue banking or cellular therapy.

- Communication skills.
- Team work.
- Critical thinking.

• Marina Vilarmau
• Phone: 934335061
• E-mail: info@emtact.eu
• Web: http://www.emtact.eu