PARA1310 Pathophysiology Course description

Pathophysiology deals with how different diseases and injuries change the cells and tissue, and thus also change the functions of the tissue, organs and body. The course focuses on disease processes and disease conditions that can cause acute partial or complete failure in organ functions, and knowledge of relevant types of treatment. The course also focuses on mental aspects/processes relating to diseases and injuries, mental health disorders and substance abuse.

Admission to the programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has broad knowledge of pathology, symptoms, clinical signs and types of treatment in the following areas:

  o   diseases of the respiratory organs

  o   cardiovascular diseases and circulatory disorders

  o   diseases of the nervous system

  o   infections

  o   diseases of the digestive system

  o   diseases of endocrine organs

  o   diseases of the blood and lymphoid organs

  o   diseases of the musculoskeletal system

  o   diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract

  o   inflammatory and immunological processes

  o   mental health disorders, including psychotic conditions, self-harm, suicide

  o   substance abuse and substance-related diseases

• is capable of giving an account of hygiene and infection control in prehospital services

• has knowledge of:

  o   cancers

  o   diseases of the female and male genitalia

  o   diseases of the breasts

• has knowledge of how different diseases can manifest themselves in the elderly
• has knowledge of the legislation governing the use of different forms of force
• is familiar with the General Civil Penal Code

Skills

The student

• is capable of applying knowledge of pathological processes and types of treatment as a basis for understanding ill persons
• masters management of contaminated (infectious) material
• is capable of processing and applying academic and research knowledge in written presentations

General competence

The student

• has insight into what causes disease
• understands how disease is manifested in people through vital signs and symptoms
• is capable of reflecting on legal issues linked to substance abuse and mental health

The work and teaching methods vary between lectures, simulation and skills training, study groups, seminars, observational practice and self-study.

Practical training

Students do two days (16 hours) of observational practice at the municipal out-of-hours emergency medical service. They also carry out simulation and skills training with a focus on clinical patient examination, including primary and secondary examination and patient documentation.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• minimum attendance of 90% at simulation and skills training
• minimum attendance of 90% in observational practice at the out-of-hours emergency medical service
• minimum attendance of 80% in study groups and seminars
• individual written home assignment, 1,000 words (+/- 10%)
• observation log from the out-of-hours emergency medical service, 800 words (+/- 10%)

Exam content: The learning outcomes

Exam form: Supervised individual written exam, 6 hours

None.

Grade scale A-F

All papers are assessed by two examiners. A minimum of twenty per cent of the exam papers will be assessed by an external examiner. The external examiner's assessment shall benefit all the students.