Blog: BSIG’s new competencies assessment tool for microscopy
with Lizzie Dale (STASHH BSIG Representative 2023 – 2025)
07 November 2025
(Last updated: 6 Nov 2025 16:56)
We have great STI diagnostics, do we still need microscopy?
Yes, absolutely. While molecular tests are now very sensitive and specific, it still takes a while (usually a few days) to get results back and microscopy plays an important role in being able to make a diagnosis at the point of care. It’s cheap and easy when you know how, and should be used alongside molecular testing. Since it’s a user-dependent skill, it's important that sexual health clinicians doing microscopy keep up to date with regular competency assessments and maintain their knowledge and skills to ensure best results.
How do I use the microscopy competencies assessment tool?
You’ll find this tool on the BSIG micro webpage, its purpose is to support achievement of competence in basic microscopy skills for any sexual healthcare professional. It’s best used after completing the BSIG’s online training course and should help you to reflect on your knowledge, skills, and confidence in using microscopy within clinical settings. There's also a logbook available on the BSIG website where you can record your slide reviews – this is helpful in getting feedback and sign-off from a senior microscopist.
What’s included in the BSIG Micro e-learning course?
This course takes you through light microscopy step-by-step, with videos, guidance, and quizzes. There are additional sections on sample collection and preparation and health and safety. The content is practical and accessible; it's aimed at any healthcare professional who will be using microscopy in practice or wants to gain understanding of its use in the diagnosis of bacterial infections.
How can I access these resources?
They are available on the BSIG page of the BASHH website BSIG | BASHH (here). If you're a BASHH member, access is free. Non-members can still use the resources by paying a small fee for a year’s access. Once you complete the modules, you can download or print a certificate for your records. Likewise, the competencies assessment and logbook can be downloaded or printed and taken along to appraisals.
How can I gain more experience in microscopy?
Microscopy is a valuable clinical skill that supports quick diagnosis and the more skilled you are, the more accurate the results. The best way to improve is through regular hands-on practice – doing your own staining, reviewing slides etc. BSIG recommends a brief annual refresher assessment of your skills, especially if you’re working in a busy clinical setting.
As a STASHH member what was your role in developing these competencies?
As the STASHH rep, I was able to attend the BSIG’s biannual meetings and was offered the opportunity to get involved in a project to develop resources to support education in microscopy. I’m currently an IMT3 aspiring to train in GUM, so this was an amazing chance to expand my own knowledge on microscopy and work with people from different clinical and laboratory backgrounds. I helped create the first draft of the competency framework and was able to network with other BSIG members to collect real-world resources from sexual health services across the UK. This experience really showed me how much sexual health professionals still value and enjoy doing microscopy, and I am excited to become competent in the skill myself during GUM training!