A theoretical and practical course on urine microscopy in Nigeria: a model for nephrological skill transfer.

BACKGROUND In the developing world, the diagnostic power of nephrologists is heavily limited by financial, technical and human resource constraints. Urine microscopy (UM) is a basic, inexpensive and relatively simple diagnostic tool, which supplies irreplaceable information. Recently, a theoretical and practical course on UM was organized during the 22nd annual meeting of the Nigerian Society of Nephrology. METHODS The 2-day course was based on power point presentations and on examination of true urine samples by means of a microscope equipped with phase contrast, polarized light and a video camera for projection of the findings. RESULTS The presentations described were the methodology, the particles of the urine sediment and their clinical interpretation, the urine sediment in different clinical conditions, and 12 clinical cases, which demonstrated the value of UM in clinical practice. Practical sessions showed the most important urine particles, and how they could be identified and combined into urine profiles. More than 97% of the participants found the course to be useful and practicable and a UM program was actually started in 1 Nigerian center a few days after the course. CONCLUSION This course demonstrated that nephrological skills can be transferred from the developed to the developing world without large financial investments.