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Director: Sandra Hollensead, M.D.
Administrative Support: Janice Wooldridge-Ware (502) 852-1169 or Tassie Deppert (502) 852-8235
After completing this course the student should understand (or
be able to understand) the basic features of most of the diseases
they are likely to encounter or read about during their professional
career. The course is presented during the first 4 blocks of the
sophomore year.
At the completion
of the course, the student should understand and be able to discuss…
- the etiology and pathogenesis (the mechanisms or causes) of
the disease
- the clinical manifestations of the disease
- the gross and microscopic changes that define the disease
- the laboratory studies that are useful in identifying the
disease
- pathophysiology (how the disease alters organ/organism function)
- natural history (how the disease progresses/resolves)
It might be apparent from the above list that an important
aspect of what the course is attempting to do is get
the student to start integrating and organizing the facts, principles and approaches to disease that the medical student will use throughout the remainder
of their training and professional life.
The student should strive to gain a broad understanding of the
Basic Mechanisms of Disease (infection, immunologic injury, neoplasia,
toxic injury, etc) and how they affect specific organ systems;
the student should be able to explain how a given disease produces
its unique set of symptoms; the student should have a basic understanding
of the tests used in evaluating patients for a given disease,
and a general understanding of how to effectively use the laboratory.
The course is divided into two parts. In the first part
of the course, General Pathology, we introduce the student
to common pathologic processes that affect all organs and patients.
Later, we focus on the specific disease entities commonly found
in each organ, Systemic Pathology. Several modes of presenting
material are used: didactic lectures, Team Based Learning sessions,
preceptorships with practicing pathologists at local hospitals,
and self-study. The student also has the opportunity to perform
additional tasks (observing an autopsy, writing about a specific
disease process) to enhance the learning experience in pathology.
The major course exams are integrated into the other second year
courses using a "Block Exam" format. An NBME Prototype board exam
is given as part of the course grade.
The importance of understanding the basic causes and mechanisms
of disease (etiology and pathogenesis) and the pathophysiology
(how disease alters function) of specific diseases cannot be overstated.
Using the knowledge base provided in this course, the student should
be able to collect information about a sick patient from a variety
of sources and should be able to integrate/analyze this information
in a way that facilitates patient care and ultimately the relief
of suffering.
Current Students:
To view the learning objectives, handouts, powerpoints, syllabus, grades and all pertinent information regarding the course, please use Blackboard.
Last Updated:
8/22/2006
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