Course Syllabus

 

Course Description

In this hands-on lab course, you will learn about specific diseases and follow the diagnosis and treatment pathway of a patient. The focus will be on surgical and clinical skills, such as history taking, first contact patient management, knot tying, instrument handling, suturing, haemostasis and tissue dissection. You will learn about relevant anatomy and physiology by using virtual reality (VR)  alongside traditional approaches. Learn about the ever-growing field of medical imaging and how methods such as X-Ray, CT, MR, and ultrasound are becoming an increasing part of medical diagnostics and treatment. You will gain a clear idea of how a surgeon has to prepare and train, by training and performing certain interventions and surgical procedures through the use of medical simulators, VR, or other.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• Identify and locate organs and anatomically relevant tissues relating to a specific disease and/or surgery
• Name the different surgical equipment and identify when each should be used
• Demonstrate how different surgical equipment should be held and used
• Show different suturing techniques  (surgical knot tying; different sutures; anastomosis) and justify when to use each
• Be able to perform basic laparoscopic procedure in a simulated setting
• Understand the role of advanced medical radiology in modern medicine, including a basic understanding of the technical basis of modalities such as X-ray, CT, MRI and Ultrasound. 
• Be aware of how serious, life threatening pathologies are identified using diagnostic imaging (radiology). 

Faculty

Chenhong Lin M.D. , graduated from Norman Bethune College of Medicine, Jilin University, China. (2008-2015) Clinical training in First Hospital of Jilin University. (2014-2015) Ph.D. in medical science, from Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. (2016-2021) PhD work focused on spinal cord injury, stem cell therapy and biomaterial. With DIS since 2022.

Philip Little  Medical Doctor, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, 2016 Ph.D (doctor of medicine), Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, 2020 Resident in Medical Radiology, Karolinska University Hospital, 2020-, PhD student, Karolinska Institutet, 2013-2020 Medical Internship, Region Stockholm (previously SLL), 2016-2019 MD at Beroendeakuten Stockholm, Region Stockholm, 2014 - 2023 (not full time). With DIS since 2023. With DIS since 2023

Teaching assistant

Yuanyuan Zhang (Yuan) MD, PhD. Research specialist in Karolinska Institutet Current research focus:  How mechanical force is generated and transmitted through focal adhesome and cell-cell junctional complexes during vascular development, maturation and aortic function. Reveal of potential mechanisms contribute to rescue relevant pathological conditions, for example vascular inflammation and aneurysm.

Readings

Chapters from Hole’s JW: Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology, 13th WC Brown Publishers, London 2004

Chapters from The Unoffical guide to Radiology: Mark A Rodrigues, Zeshan Qureshi
ISBN: 9780957149946

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

Approach to teaching

The course will primarily combine lecturing on the anatomy and theory with hands-on approach to learning. Clinical cases and images will be used to stimulate inquiry, critical thinking and knowledge application and integration. Assignments and tests will assess relevant theoretical and practical 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 1/2 practical hands on work. This will include performing and training pre-op, operative, and basic clinical procedures, as well as surgical simulation. 

Grading

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:

Participation	15%
Anatomy assignments	10%
Performance-based assessment	25%
Theory Tests	35%
Suture video uploads	15%
Total	100%

 

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 expert feedback, this exercise encourages self-evaluation and helps ensure you are using surgical instruments safely and effectively.

Surgery Performance-based test (Done in class)

• Surgical knots (1+2 handed) You are allotted 45 seconds to perform as many correct knots as possible with the provided equipment
• Suture (simple interrupted suture) You are allotted 10 minutes to carry out the task.
• Laparoscopic skills (you are allotted 5 minutes to carry out the task).
• Perform anastomosis in 20 minutes

*The schedule is subject to change.