Course Syllabus

 

Faculty
	Rikke Hermund Research Assistant, Department of Pathology, ZUH (2025-present). Course Assistant for Human Health and Disease: A Clinical Approach (2022-2026) and Medical Simulation Lab (2022). BSc.Med., University of Copenhagen (2022). Clinical Assistant, Strandvejens Eye Clinic (2020-2023). Vaccinator, Bella Center (2021). Volunteer Teacher, The Danish Cancer Society (2019). With DIS since 2021.
	Sara Woldu M.D. (University of Copenhagen, 2020). Resident, Department of Internal Medicine, Glostrup Hospital, 2020. Resident, General practitioners at Hvidovrevej 100, 2020-2022 (including maternal leave). Resident, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bispebjerg Hospital, 2022-present. With DIS since 2024.
Course Assistant
	Forkan Al-Fares Bsc. Med., (Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2026). Nurse assistant at FADL, 2023-present. Assistant at the Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, 2023-2024. Phlebotomist summer 2024. Research assistant, Hvidovre Hospital, 2024-2025. Clinical Assistant at a general practice, 2024-2025. Secretary at a rheumatology clinic, 2026-present. Data entry assistant, Phase I Unit, Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, 2026–present. With DIS since 2026.

 

Course Description

Note 1: Please be aware that the course does not provide regular medical training corresponding to that of medical students and does not include shadowing of doctors or physical examination of patients.

Note 2: Class dates, times and topics are not final until Academic Orientation. 

Note 3: 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.

Learning Objectives

The objective of the course is to introduce students to the most important human diseases, their diagnoses and treatments, and the clinical working methods of physicians as practiced at a large, Danish university hospital in Copenhagen. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Write a structured medical report
2. Explain the rationale for the choice of tests and treatments in clinical practice
3. Complete basic clinical skills (suture, IV insertion, intubation) and give a basic explanation of the techniques
4. Discuss knowledge of human anatomy and physiology
5. Describe medical practice in a social, international, and scientific context

 

Readings

You are expected to complete the readings of each lesson, as outlined in the canvas calendar event for each day. The main books for the course are listed below. 

Available on Canvas (under the readings module)

• Clancy J, McVicar: Physiology and Anatomy for Nurses and Health Practitioners: A Homeostatic Approach (REFERRED TO AS PHYSIOLOGY AND ANATOMY)
  
• Ford MJ, Hennessey, I, and Japp, A: Introduction to Clinical Examination, 8^th Churchill Livingstone, London 2005: Ford. (REFERRED TO AS FORD)
• O'Neill P, Dornan T, Denning DW: A Core Text with Self-Assessment. Churchill Livingstone, 3rd Edition, 2008: O'Neill. (REFFERED TO AS ONEILL)
• Additional Readings as relevant will also be posted on Canvas

 

Field Studies

There will be 3 field study activities in this course.

Unlike field studies in your other classes, these will NOT take place on Wednesdays, but rather during your regularly scheduled class day during an extended time period into the evening. 

The first session called the Clinical Skills Session allows for students to rotate on stations to practice IV catheter insertions, suturing, and Nasograstotube insertion + intubation. This session will take place at DIS. A light dinner will be provided. 

The second session called the Emergency Medical Simulation Session is offered in collaboration with the Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation (CAMES). This session focuses on the assessments and algorithms used in basic and advanced life support. This session will take place at Rigshospitalet. A light dinner will be provided. 

The third session will be a culminating Field Study Assessment at the end of the course, tying together what you learned at both of the previously mentioned sessions, and will represent a small portion of the overall grade for the course. This assessment session will take place at DIS. Dinner will not be provided. 

 

Core Course Week (CCW) and Study Tours

CCW and study tours are an integral part of the core course experience as we take the classroom on the road and see how theory presented in the classroom is translated to practice in the field. You will travel with your classmates and DIS faculty/staff on two study tours; a Short Study Tour (SST) during CCW and a Long Study Tour (LST) to relevant European destinations.

Learning Objectives:

• to describe medical practices in a social, international, and scientific context
• to showcase examples of clinical practice and health care systems in different sectors and countries
• to broaden the students’ view of the challenges that health care providers face
• to show examples of research with clinical relevance
• to explore and learn more about Scandinavia and other societies in Europe

 

Evaluation

Attendance and In Class Participation

Attendance is mandatory for all scheduled class sessions, field studies, all five days of CCW activities, and all six days of LST activities. Unexcused absences from a class session, field study, or study tour activity will impact this portion of your grade. Refer to DIS Academic Expectations and Honor Code linked at the bottom of this syllabus to read more about excused absences. 

In class participation covers the following areas: level of preparation and ability to answer questions asked in class and involvement in class and group discussions.

 

Patient Cases

During the semester, you will be presented with 2 patient case in class to submit as an individual assignment. In class, you'll ask an appropriate course of questions to get a detailed medical history that will allow you to structure a relevant clinical exam and an appropriate course of paraclinical investigations leading to a preliminary diagnosis. You will then prepare a written medical report for the 'patient'.

 

Formative and Summative Assessments

There will be a total of two Formative Assessments throughout the semester. These are in the form of a Multiple Choice Question Quiz. These assessments are timed, online (offered over a multi-day period) and open book. You will get two attempts at each assessment. Take special note that each attempt will include a randomized group of questions. That is, each of the two attempts will be different.

The Summative Assessment will take place at the end of the semester and can cover material from across the length of the course. This assessment is timed, online (offered over a 2-hour period) and open book. There is only one attempt. 

 

Study Tour Participation

This includes (but not limited to), active engagement during your study tour activities, including your Pre-visit presentation.

 

Study Tour Project

Before going on the Short Study Tour, you will be divided into groups and be given a specific subject to focus on in your study tour project.  A more in-depth description of the study tour project will be provided closer to the short study tour. All parts of the project must be completed in order to obtain full credit for the project.

 

Field Study Assessment

See note under Field Studies above.

 

Policy on late assignments

Late patient cases will be accepted, but your grade will be reduced by half letter grade for each day that it is late. Anything submitted in the 24 hours after the deadline counts as the first day (for example - five minutes late counts as one day late). Missed Formative or Summative Assessments can not be re-opened. 

 

Electronics

Computers/tablets are allowed for class purposes. It is not allowed for other activities such as social networks, sending personal e-mails etc. If you use a computer for other purposes, it will affect your participation grade. Cell phone usage is not allowed in class. It is distracting to both your classmates and your instructors, so please keep them turned off. Otherwise, it will affect your participation grade.