Course Syllabus

Please note that the first class meets on Monday, January 26th, in room N7-B11 @ 18:30.

Faculty

Teaching assistant

Borislav Pekez M.D. (Medical studies, University of Zagreb, 2018). BSc (Psychology, University of Nebraska, 2011). Psychiatry Junior Doctor, Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown, Republic of Ireland, 2021. Medical intern, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia, 2019-2020. With DIS since 2023.

Course Assistants

	Benjamin Waraich 8th Semester medical student, University of Copenhagen. Student assistant at Hellerup Medical Center since 2020. Danish-British-Pakistani With DIS since 2024
	Thea Slot Mehlum B.M. (Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2024). Medical assistant, Gynecologist Agnete Vedsted, 2022-2025. Nursing assistant, FADL, 2022-present. Phlebotomist and ECG Technician, FADL team, 2023-present. Student Employed for Simulation (SATS), CAMES Herlev, 2025-present. With DIS since 2025.
	David Rasmussen 6th Semester medical student, University of Copenhagen.  Board member of Students Anesthesiological and Traumatological Societies(SATS) since 2022 Board member of Students Association for Emergency Medicine(FAM) since 2023 With DIS since 2024
	Nikolai Holm Elkjær Rasmussen B.M. (Medicine, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), 2023). Nursing substitute, FADL (Union for medical students), 2021. Phlebotomist, Bispebjerg Hospital, 2022-present. ECG Analyser, Cortrium, 2024-present. Nurse assistant, FADL, 2021-present. Student Assistant, Stenhus Gymnasium, 2019-2020. With DIS since 2025.
	Malou Skriver BSc. (Medicine, Copenhagen University, 2025.) Educational Mentor, Mentordanmark, 2018-2023. Substitute teacher, Vindinge School, 2020-2021. Educational Mentor, Roskilde Cathedral School, 2020-2021. Clinical assistant, Søborg Eye Clinic, 2023-2024. Clinical Assistant, 2100 Lægehuset Østerbro, 2024-present. With DIS since 2025.

Course Description

This hands-on lab course will focus on specific diseases and follow the diagnosis and treatment pathway of a surgical patient from admission to discharge. You will learn relevant anatomy and physiology through virtual reality (VR) alongside traditional approaches. Learn how to perform a basic ultrasound evaluation and how to diagnose common CT pathologies of the abdominal cavity. Furthermore, you will learn basic surgical skills and interventions to perform surgical procedures with the use of laparoscopic simulators and suturing kits.

Expected Learning Outcomes

 At the end of this course you will be able to

• Describe the surgical patient care flow through the healthcare system
• Identify and locate organs and anatomically relevant tissues relating to a specific disease and/or surgery
• Compare and contrast diagnostic options, and discuss when surgery is the treatment option
• Understand the capabilities and limitations of diagnostic modalities and how they support the diagnostic process 
• Name the different surgical equipment and identify when each should be used
• Demonstrate how different surgical equipment should be held and used
• Perform some of the most common pre-op procedures
• Execute different types of surgery procedures using a simulation approach
• Describe possible operative and post-op complications, and prioritize the follow-up action according to severity and possible outcomes
• Show different suturing techniques and justify when to use each

Approach to teaching

The course will focus on using a hands-on approach to learning. Students will be given all necessary information, through a surgeon's and radiologist's point of view, regarding all aspects surrounding specific surgical procedures and/or diagnostics. Assignments and tests will assess relevant theoretical and practical knowledge. 

Time permitting, faculty may introduce additional skills that will not count toward the final grade but will help broaden students’ medical knowledge.

Expectations of the students

Students are expected to actively participate in all activities related to the course. Additionally, students should come duly prepared for each class. Students should be willing to follow a surgeon’s approach to preparation for surgery, which includes a lot of training and executing the same type of procedure repeatedly in order to optimize performance.

Lab Simulation Work

The course will have at least 3/4 practical hands-on work. This will include performing and training in pre-op, operative, and post-op procedures, as well as surgical simulation. Additionally, most of the anatomical prerequisites necessary for this course will also be taught through various VR platforms. The students will be put under simulated clinical conditions within the classroom. This is meant to improve the understanding of working conditions for surgeons and radiologists with the hope of improving patient safety. 

Example: Timing of procedures/tasks, exposure to clinical noises while performing tasks, and wearing protective gear, etc. 

Required Readings

Readings from the Human Health and Disease: A Clinical Approach Core Course books.

Additional readings regarding specific important information and instructions relating to specific procedures will be posted on Canvas.

Evaluation

To be eligible for a passing grade in this class, all of the assigned work must be completed.

The factors influencing the final grade and their weights are reported in the following table:

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory for all scheduled class sessions and field studies.

• Each absence from a class session or field study will automatically result in a deduction of 10 points from your attendance grade (out of 100 total points).
• Exceptions to this point deduction policy can only be made if supported by prior approval from DIS Academic Support (e.g., for serious personal or family matters).

Participation

Your participation grade is a grade of “Active Participation” and “Attention and attitude”

The grade is weighed between these factors to recognize that participation is not only how much qualified input you provide in class (however very important still),  but also your level of attention when you are not speaking.

You can see the full rubric below, but in short:

• Preparation means reviewing assigned materials, bringing necessary items to class, and being ready to contribute.

• Active participation isn’t only about speaking; listening attentively, asking clarifying questions, and contributing in group settings all count.

• Attention and attitude reflect respect for classmates, instructors, and guest speakers/hosts

Suture Video Upload

• As part of the curriculum, you will upload videos of yourself performing suturing techniques. This process is designed to support personalized learning by allowing faculty and course assistants to review your technique and offer constructive feedback to help you improve your surgical skills.

• You will submit two videos: a Baseline and Final video upload. These recordings should clearly demonstrate your progress over time. In addition to receiving feedback from faculty/course assistants, this exercise encourages self-evaluation and helps ensure you are using surgical instruments safely and effectively.

Surgery Performance-based test

• Surgical knots (1+2 handed) You are allotted 45 seconds to perform as many correct knots as possible
• Suture (simple interrupted suture) You are allotted 10 minutes to carry out the task.

Done in class.

Anatomy + CT Test

An individual test comprised of 2 parts:

• Part (1) Anatomy portion:
  • Drawing of abdominal organs/structures which are covered in class
• Part (2) CT portion:
  • A normal abdominal CT will be labeled with specific structures in specific views. 
  • Two CT scans of real patients will be given to the students, who will be asked to identify the most likely diagnosis. 

Done in class. (You are allotted the whole class period to carry out the task). 

Ultrasound performance-based assessment

This is a hands-on assessment in which the student will be asked to perform an abdominal ultrasound scan on a volunteer "patient". The student must identify three anatomical structures and measure the size of one abdominal organ when appropriate. Proper use of the ultrasound machine, demonstration of anatomical understanding, and clear visualization of relevant organs are required to receive full marks.

• 7 minutes will be alloted to perfrom the assessment. 

Done in class. 

Final surgical assignment

This individual assignment will focus on

• Anastomosis (you are allotted 20 minutes to carry out the task) 
• Laparoscopic skills (you are allotted 5 minutes to carry out the task). 

Done in class.

NB: Notes are not allowed for either tests or assessments.

Academic Regulations:

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading  
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

We ask for understanding if the schedule changes during the semester.

The doctors that you will be taught by are working doctors and cannot commit 100% to the schedule provided.

If changes do occur to the schedule, you will be notified. 

Note that some class days are marked as "No Class: Reserved for Makeup". This means that there are currently no classes scheduled on these days. However, as the doctors' schedules can change, it may become necessary to postpone a class and utilize one or more of these makeup days. You are still expected to attend class on any make-up days. For example, independent travel is not an excuse to miss any rescheduled classes.