Course Syllabus

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Human Health and Disease:

A Clinical Approach Section A

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Semester & Location:

Spring 2021 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:

Core Course - 3 credits
Core Course Study Tours:

Nothern Zealand and Western Denmark
Major Disciplines:

Biology, Pre-Medicine / Health Science, Public Health
Prerequisites:

One year of biology and one year of chemistry at the university level
Faculty Members:

Johanna Eliasson
Program Director:

Susana Dietrich
Time & Place:

Please look at syllabus/calendar

Faculty

 

Johanna Eliasson Picture.jpg

Johanna Sofia Justine Eliasson

M.D. (University of Copenhagen, 2016). Ph.D. student at the Department of Gastroenterology, Rigshospitalet (Copenhagen University Hospital). Previous employment at the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rigshospitalet (Copenhagen University Hospital), Department of Emergency Medicine, Holbæk Hospital and Department of Internal Medicine, Holbæk Hospital. With DIS since 2018.

Course Assistant

Caroline Garred

Caroline Garred 

11th semester medical student at University of Copenhagen Medical School (UCPH). Medical Assistant, FADL (The Association of Danish Medical Students). Former teacher at International Medical Cooperation Committee (IMCC). With DIS – Study Abroad since 2018.

Course Description

This course offers an introduction to the most important human diseases, their diagnoses and treatments, and to the clinical practice of physicians at Danish university hospitals. You are taught at Copenhagen university hospitals by practicing physicians.

Note: 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.


Expected Learning Outcomes

The objective of the course is to introduce students to the most important human diseases, their diagnoses and treatments, and to 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 choice of tests and treatments in clinical practice
  3. Complete basic clinical skills (suture, IV insertion, catheter insertion) 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

 

Required Readings

Available by textbook

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

Available on Canvas

  • Ford MJ, Hennessey, I, and Japp, A: Introduction to Clinical Examination, 8th Churchill Livingstone, London 2005: Ford.
  • O'Neill P, Dornan T, Denning DW: A Core Text with Self-Assessment. Churchill Livingstone, 3rd Edition, 2008: O'Neill.
  • Additional Readings will be posted on Canvas

NOTE: Not all reading assignments will be covered in class, but all reading assignments are necessary in order to follow what is actually covered in class. In some cases, where noted, skimming the reading and picking out important points will be sufficient. Please make sure to read all the material assigned. You have an obligation to your fellow classmates and yourself to come prepared to class. 

 

Course Roles

Faculty

You have one faculty member who will be the main instructor of your course. 

Course Assistant (CA) 

The Course Assistant is the 'red thread' of your course. They will attend each class session, grade all of your assignments, and travel with you for the first time (only) to each new hospital destination as well as on study tour. If you have questions or need clarification about a reading or lecture material do not hesitate to speak up and/or contact the course assistant.  This is very important as the professors for this course do not have scheduled office hours. However in the case that a meeting is needed, please feel free to set up appointments with the CA and request the presence of the faculty as necessary. 

Guest Lecturer

Some class sessions may be taught by a guest lecturer for specific topics coordinated with the course faculty. 

Core Course Week and Study Tours

Core Course week and study tours are an integral part of the core course 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 during Core Course Week and a long study tour within Denmark.

Expectations for study tours:

  • Participate in all activities
  • Engage in discussions, ask questions, and contribute to achieving the learning objectives
  • Respect the destination, the speakers, DIS staff, and your fellow classmates
  • Represent yourself, your home university and DIS in a positive light
  • Make observations to supplement the Study Tour Group Project (see Evaluation)

Learning Objectives:

The objectives of both the short study tour and the long study tour are:

  • 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 Denmark and other societies in Europe

 

Evaluation

Patient Cases

During the semester, you will be presented with 2 patient cases in class to submit as an individual assignment. You are responsible for suggesting, based on the case you get, 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. More detailed information will be provided in class.

Tests

There will be a total of two tests throughout the semester.  These tests will consist of a mix of short answer questions and essay questions. Tests may be given at the beginning of class or at the end.  If the latter, the material covered in the lecture that day may be on the test; so, make sure to pay close attention to the information discussed in the lecture that day.  Tests in class will generally last a maximum of 30 minutes depending on the amount of information covered. 

Study Tour Project

Before going on the Short Study Tour, you will be divided into groups where you will decide a specific subject to focus on in your study tour project. An observation booklet/notebook should be used on both trips for notes, should be discussed within your group. 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.

Final Assignment 

By the end of the semester, you will have learned how to conduct a clinical exam as well as practice writing a patient history. This final assignment gives you the opportunity to create a patient case (using video recordings) to be assigned to your fellow classmates using the knowledge and skills you have accumulated over the semester. This a two-part assignment conducted in groups.  A more in-depth description will be provided closer to the end of the semester.


Grading

Tests (2 at 15%) 30%
Patient Cases (2 at 10%) 20%
Field Study Assignment 5%
Study Tour Project 15%
Participation 10%
Final Assignment 20%

Participation covers the following areas:

  1. Attendance
  2. Level of preparation and ability to answer questions asked in class
  3. Involvement in class and group discussions
  4. Level of individual research and contribution to discussions
  5. Contributions to visits and discussions on and related to the study tours

Policy on late assignments

Late assignments will be accepted, but your grade for the paper will be reduced by half a point for each day that it is late.

 

Electronics

Computers 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.

 

Academic Regulations  

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

 

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

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due