Description of courses:
Basic Sciences

Gross Anatomy

This course is devoted to teaching the morphological and functional anatomy of the human body. The emphasis of the course is to assist the student in developing a three-dimensional visual image of the way the human body is put together. Each student, as a member of a team, does a complete dissection of the body. Presentation consists of lectures (mostly on basic anatomy) and laboratory study (cadaver dissection and study of cross sections, prosections, skeletal material, models, X‑rays).The anatomical background and vocabulary are established for clinical correlations and the other basic medical sciences.

Histology

This course provides a basic knowledge of the structure and function of cells, tissues and organs at a microscopic level, so that students are able to recognize and identify all major cell and tissue types of the human body. The normal structural characteristics are correlated with basic biochemical and physiological processes as background material for the study of microscopic pathology. The lectures are illustrated with relevant audio‑visual material and photomicrographs. During the laboratory sessions each student has the use of a binocular microscope and a collection of over 80 stained tissue slide preparations. Computer analysis of cell and histochemical reactions are discussed in seminars and demonstrations.

Embryology

Embryology Introduces basic and clinical aspects of human normal and abnormal development. Organogenesis, the origin and formation of all organ systems in the human, constitutes the major part of the course. The various congenital anomalies are explained as deviations from normal development. Presentation is done by lectures. Embryology is also taught during the courses of anatomy and histology.

Human Genetics

This course offers an understanding of the contribution of genetic diseases to human morbidity and mortality. Basic aspects of DNA chemistry, the structure, function and regulation of procaryotic and eucaryotic genes are taught using clinical examples. Clinical applications of genetic principles and laboratory techniques including caryotaping are emphasized. Case presentations are used to illustrate basic principles of genetic diseases.

Neuroscience

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding of the central nervous system organization and function and includes a general overview of basic elements, gross structure and vocabulary. The student learns simultaneously a part of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neuropathology. Later, clinical implications related to specific neurological pathologies are stressed. Lectures are supplemented by laboratory sessions which consist of human brain dissections and neurophysiology.

Psychology (Behavioral Science)

Ten hours of lectures are focused on the psychology and physiology of life cycles. The general objectives are to descrive the normal stages of human development and to discuss the psychological and physical factors that affect people in different periods of life. The aim of the next part of the course is to five students the basic information concerning mental status examination, communication, interviewing and the factors which may influence the doctor-patient relationship. Next block of lectures covers those aspects of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurochemistry and genetics which relate to psychiatry.

Biostatistics

Introduces basic statistical methodology including descriptive statistics, the normal distribution, hypothesis testing and confidence intervals using the Z and t distribution, regression and correlation, chi‑square and common nonparametric procedures. Statistical concepts are illustrated by appropriate biomedical applications.

Law & Ethics in Medicine

A series of lectures and discussions designed to show how the lives and work of doctors are addected by civil and criminal law and to help meet the challenges posed by the ethical problems, from those before birth to after death, which a physician has to face during the practice of medicine.

Sociology

The object of this course is to provide an overview of the current and probable future expansion of society's role in the regulation of the practice of medicine. The basic principles of malpractice including the definition of negligence and the measurement of damages are stressed.

Medical First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

The student learns how to manage the most common emergencies such as posttraumatic bleeding, fractures of the bones, cardiac arrest, heat and cold injures, pneumothorax e.c.t. The emphasis is placed on prompt diagnosis of acute cardiac and respiratory failure and practical knowledge of resuscitation.

Biochemistry

The course presents the basic principles of biochemistry: mechanism of biochemical reactions, biosynthesis, utilization and degradation of major constituants of the human body in or­der to explain the pathomechanism of various diseases. Exploration of the metabolic characteristics of each organ is correlated with an understand­ing of metabolic interplay between organs. The students learn the chemis­try and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. The course places emphasis on both physi­ological chemistry and molecular biol­ogy giving a biochemical framework to clinical studies.

Physiology

This course acquaints students with the dynamic functional interrelation­ship that exists among cells, tissues and organ systems so that an under­standing of the functions of the human organism as a whole is obtained. The course begins with elements of biophysics and provides a review of key points previously covered by the student in anatomy, cell biology and histology. Later, physiology of the major body sys­tems: gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, endocrine and reproductive, is presented in lectures and laboratory exercises.

Immunology

This course introduces student to the major principles and mechanism under‑lying the immune system's function. The lectures begin with the presentation of information related to anatomical and histologic features of the reticuloendothelial system, humoral immunity and cellular immunity. The course emphasizes the transposition of basic science infor­mation into clinical problems. The laboratory sessions summarize the diagnostic application of immunological techniques.

Microbiology and Parasitology

Introduces the basic principles of microbiology including classification and taxonomy, microbial physiology, the host‑parasite relationship and epidemiological concepts. The epidemiology, symptomatology, pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis and therapy of the major bacterial, fungal and parasitic pathogens are covered. The laboratory portion of the course includes laboratory methods in bacteriology, mycology and parasitology.

General and Systemic Pathology

General pathology emphasizes those changes or reactions wlilch may occur in various diseases and in different organs. The lecture series thus covers: cell injury and cel I death, necrosis inflammation, blood coagula­tion, thrombo‑embolism and infarction, vascular diseases, tumors, immune deficiency diseases, infec­tious diseases, environmental pathol­ogy, diseases of infancy, childhood and aging. The laboratory consists of a collection of many color transparencies arranged in a series of modules. The modules contain not only color transparencies of gross and micro­scopic changes but also a number of electron photomicrographs. Systemic pathology deals with specific dis­eases affecting the various organs of the body. The laboratory sessions in systemic pathology consist of exami­nation of a series of slides arranged to coincide with the lecture material, which show the microscopic changes in the various disease states.

Laboratory Medicine

This course instructs medical students how and when to order laboratory tests in relation to the patient's symptoma­tology and/or disease and how to in­terpret these tests and recognize their limitation. Clinical chemistry, clinical hematology, hemostasis, diagnostic im­munology and nuclear medicine are pre­sented in lectures and laboratory ses­sions.

Pathophysiology

The mechanism of various diseases of the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, pul­monary, renal, hematological, immuno­logical and endocrine systems is dis­cussed on both the subcellular and cel­lular levels. The course provides an Insight into the disturbed physiologic changes resulting from specific dis­ease processes of individual organ sys­tems. It also includes a study of immu­nological defense mechanism, repair mechanism, modes of injury, diseases of development and growth, blood dis­orders and neoplasia. Selected problems of human genetics are reemphasized. The lectures include the relevant basic science material, alter­ations in structure and function, related symptoms and signs, common clinical Pictures and therapy.

Pharmacology

This course covers knowledge of the sources, biochemical and physiological effects, mechanism of action and phar­macokinetics as well as therapeutic and other beneficial uses of drugs. Emphasis is placed on understanding the disposition, effects, efficacy and relative toxicity of all major drug groups in the light of their biochemical and physiological mechanisms. The clinical aspects focus on rational drug therapy. The use of drugs is analyzed with re­spect to pharmacologic principles, mechanism of action and pathophysiologic abnormalities of disease states.

Hygiene and Epidemiology

The central theme is the importance of preventive medicine. To develop this concept the course includes lectures and exercises in biostatistics, epidemiology and public health. Laboratory sessions give students practical experience in solving public health problems. The influence of the environment on health is also considered.

Clinical Medicine

Internal Medicine

Introduces the principles of patient di­agnosis in the clinical setting. Students are expected to develop a logical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients' complaints and technical skills, which enable them to obtain a history and perform a physical examination. The student studies one or two patients per week, presents them on teaching round, follows them throughout their hospital stay and finally writes a history of the patient's disease, using his patient's problems as a basis for discussion. Activities include rounds, consultations, laboratory sessions, specific diagnostic procedures and the planning of treatment. Students participate also in outpatients clinics held by physicians. The training experience emphasizes the clinical manifestations of various diseases in such areas as: cardiology, gastroenterology, hematology, nephrology, pulmonology, endocrinology, nuclear medicine etc. A basic material is also presented through series of lectures.

Surgery

The main goal of this rotation is to aquaint the student with those diseases or injures that require surgical treatment. Emphasis is placed not to surgical technique but on learning the pathophysiology of diseases, establishing the diagnosis and participating in the treatment of patients. The student is integrated into the clinical team and assigned to specific patients. Responsibilities include taking histories, performing physical examinations, participating in the management of these patients including, whenever possible, operative procedures. The attendance at daily rounds of physicians is mandatory in order to recognize the most common postoperative complications. Subspecialities of surgery include traumatology, urology,gastroenterology, thoracic, vascular and cardiac surgery.

Pediatrics

The purpose of this clinical rotation is to allow the student to understand the common disorders and diseases of childhood, especially their diagnosis, prevention and management, including surgery. Emphasis is placed on the special needs of the newborn. The rotation gives the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills of taking a pediatric history, to examine children of all ages and to gain experience in the assessment of important clinical information. In such a way It is possible to formulate a plan of management fully intelligible to the parents and, if necessary, to the child. The student learns history taking, physical examination and the principles of infant feeding, fluid and drug therapy. Lectures provide the student with the basic knowledge or the normal physical and mental development of children as well as essential information about cardiac, gastrointestinal, neurological, hematological, immunological and other diseases of childhood.

Obstetrics a nd Gynecology (OBIGYN)

The goals of the rotation are to provide the student with knowledge of the clinical problems encountered in this field. Emphasis is placed on obtaining experience in routine obstetric delivery, outpatient gynecologic manage to his patient's disease and to pay attention to public health aspects as they relate to maternal and perinatal mor­bidity and mortality, venereal disease, cancer detection and human sexuality.

Psychiatry

Introduces the care of psychiatric pa­tients. Learning objectives are to in­crease the student's ability to recog­nize psychopathology, use interview techniques, correctly diagnose psychi­atric disorders and use psychopharmalogical agents. The stu­dent is taught how to evaluate and manage psychiatric emergencies in­cluding substance abuse, how to feel more comfortable with psychiatric pa­tients fully understanding their biologi­cal, psychological and social determi­nants of behavior. The history and mental status examination are pre­sented to the preceptor and later are discussed. The student must attend word rounds and outpatient sessions.

Neurology

Presents the natural history of common neurological diseases and the di­agnosis and management of these dis­orders. The student attends daily rounds with neurologists and partici­pates in consultations. Learning objec­tives are to increase the student's abil­ity to recognize neuropathology, to ex­amine the patient correctly and to use appropriate therapy. Lectures and seminars provide the student with indi­cations for and the value of EEG, CT, angiography and NMR procedures.

Radiology

Concentrates on didactic lectures and seminars illustrated from extensive teaching and active files. In addition to routine X-ray examination the student learns the principles of ultrasound, com­puted tomography, angio and cardiog­raphy and nuclear medicine, including NMR imaging. The group of students with a staff member cover the basic principles of interpreting chest, abdomi­nal and bone radiographs by observa­tion and discussion of current cases. The student is required to observe spe­cial procedures and attend all depart­mental teaching conferences.

Anesthesiology

During this rotation the student be­comes familiar with the techniques and principles of intubation and the use of intravenous, arterial, central venous pressure, and Swan‑Ganz catheters. He or she also learns about the problems occurring in postoperative and intensive care units and the pharmacology of the common anesthetic agents. In the op­erating room the student learns the principles of general and local anes­thesia and the management of the anesthetised patient.

Orthopedics

The student is introduced to the many fac­ets of orthopedics: recognition of fractures, the management of late complications, cast­ing techniques and reconstructive surgery. The student prepares histories and performs physical examinations, makes rounds, fol­lows his patients to the operating room and throughout postoperative care, including rehabilitation.

Laryngology

During this clinical rotation the stu­dent learns the principals of symptoma­tology and the treatment of most com­mon diseases relating to nose, throat, larynx and oesophagus. The student participates in the evaluation and treat­ment of outpatients and patients in the clinic. The lectures and seminars include the relevant basic science material re­lated to specific pathology such as malignant diseases, inflammatory pro­cesses and trauma of the upper respi­ratory tract and oesophagus.

Ophthalmology

Lectures, seminars and clinical rotation acquaint students with the major ocu­lar disorders in a manner that will in­terest, first of all, candidates for gen­eral practice. The course covers the practical clinical aspects and the re­lated mechanism underlying various dis­orders such as retinal and choroidal diseases, glaucoma, corneal trauma, cataracts and others. Emphasis is placed on obtaining experience in care­ful examination and first posttraumatic aid.

Infectious Diseases

This Clinical rotation provides the stu­dent with the opportunity to learn the aetiology, symptoms and treatment of various infectious diseases in children and adults. Special attention is focused on AIDS and viral hepatitis. Students take histories, perform physical exami­nations and present data on rounds. They are required to attend lectures and seminars. They review the current techniques of laboratory investigation and the use of antimicrobial agents.

Dermatology

This clinical rotation allows the student to learn the symptomatology of most common diseases of the skin. During lectures and clinical presentations the student learns how to recognize and differentiate various primary and sec­ondary skin changes and how to use specific external and internal treat­ments. The student is also introduced to the evaluation and treatment of venereal diseases.

Oncology and Palliative Care

This course summarizes the knowledge about malignant diseases obtained by students during specific clinical rota­tions and courses (pathology, pediat­rics, internal medicine, Surgery, etc.) The students participate in physical examinations and discuss radiation of the disease. They also have an oppor­tunity to learn the treatment and critical care of terminally ill patients.

Forensic Medicine

The course introduces forensic aspects of medical practice. Lectures and semi­nars present problems of serohematology, drug and chemical intoxication, parenthood and its identification. The student has the opportunity to partici­pate in forensic autopsies and thus to get some experience in the assessment of specific injuries (gunshot, penetrat­ing injuries), intoxications and others.

Medical Polish

This course is designated to help fa­cilitate the development of basic com­munication skills in Polish. The scope of the course will cover real everyday situations including patient interviews, gathering medical data, and the basic conversation required for medical examinations in Polish clinics.

Family Medicine

The course will introduce the main principles of family medicine. Seminars will be conducted on the following topics: different models of general practice in Ireland, Scotland and Poland; doctor-patient communication; clinical approach in general practice; health education and promotion; home care; cooperation between G.P.s and other elements of the National Health Service and the structure of general practice. Moreover, students will participate in the daily activities of family doctors in their practice (1 student per tutor). Equipment, as well as computer programs used in general practice will be presented.