Pathobiology

Abstract

Pathobiology describes the mechanisms underlying a disease and its clinical manifestations. An overview over important diseases and their symptoms will be given with aid of case reports. How the discussed diseases can be recognized based on symptoms, anamnesis, and examinations will be introduced.

Objective

This course focuses on the biological basis and medical aspects of both common and less common human diseases. It covers fundamental science fields including molecular biology, pathology, and medicine. By the end of the lectures, students will acquire the skills to assess a patient’s presentation and symptoms to estimate urgency. Interpreting symptoms, clinical data, and underlying pathophysiology of disease to formulate differentials that leads to a diagnosis. Common diseases will be introduced according to their urgency, providing a comprehensive understanding of the spectrum of diseases commonly seen clinically or in a pharmacy. The selection of diseases will be based on prevalence and educational value. As an essential part of the course, students will be grouped into teams of 5, to present a common disease/clinical symptom and create a poster, with the assistance of our supervisors/tutors. Each student will have the task to research: (i) pathophysiology, (ii) epidemiology, (iii) diagnostic criteria, (iv) differential #1, (v) differential #2. Their findings will be presented and graded as part of 3 different lectures. The grades will be reflected as bonus points for the final examination. Learning objectives (LOs): What are students able to do by the end of this course? LO1: Evaluate disease by patient presentation, symptoms, and history. Interpret the patient’s main claims and apply the OPQRST (Onset, Palliative/Provocative, Quality/Quantity, Region, Symptoms, Time course) mnemonic of history taking. LO2: Assess disease urgency. Assess urgency of potential disease and make an intuitive diagnosis or determine if a comprehensive (medical) examination is required. LO3: Diagnosis and explain the pathobiology. Integrate your findings into a diagnosis and potential 2-3 differentials. Be able to explain the pathobiology of the diagnosed disease.

Content

Lecture 1 Introduction to the course Lecture 2 Common Diseases of Low Urgency (1) Lecture 3 Common Diseases of Low Urgency (2) Lecture 4 Lung Diseases Lecture 5 Block A: Student Poster Session Lecture 6 Common Diseases of Moderate Urgency (3) Lecture 7 Common Diseases of Moderate Urgency (4) Lecture 8 Cardiovascular Diseases Lecture 9 Block B: Student Poster Session Lecture 10 Common Diseases of High Urgency (1) Lecture 11 Common Diseases of High Urgency (2) Lecture 12 Gastrointestinal Diseases Lecture 13 Block C: Student Poster Session

Resources