A clinically-oriented study of the structures and functions of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal systems related to human health and disease. Relevant biochemistry, histology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and clinical skills are integrated into case discussions and clinical experiences.
Athena Title
Medical RCP 1
Prerequisite
Enrollment in the first year of the doctor of medicine curriculum.
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
Student learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Apply foundational knowledge of normal human biology to explain the integrated role of the Renal and Cardiopulmonary systems in maintaining homeostasis and adapting across the lifespan.
2. Analyze how changes in the structures and functions of the Renal and Cardiopulmonary systems lead to disease, and relate these changes to risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
3. Synthesize clinical findings, pathophysiology, and critically appraised literature to develop prioritized differential diagnoses and formulate patient-centered evaluation and management plans for acute and chronic conditions and health maintenance, with focus on the Renal and Cardiopulmonary systems.
4. Formulate clinical questions and identify appropriate scientific resources and technologies, applying critical appraisal of research and data for medical decision-making.
5. Perform comprehensive and problem-focused clinical evaluations, including medical history taking, system-based physical examinations, and basic procedures (e.g., ultrasound).
6. Demonstrate patient-centered communication to foster therapeutic relationships and adapt to the values, preferences, and experiences of patients and their families.
7. Utilize self-awareness and external feedback for self-reflection to identify strengths and knowledge gaps to continuously evaluate and improve personal and professional performance.
8. Demonstrate effective teamwork by collaborating with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals, communicating clearly, sharing responsibility, and providing constructive feedback.
9. Exhibit ethical and professional behavior while maintaining a patient-centered approach and applying medical ethics principles to broader health policy and systemic challenges.
10. Analyze the complexities of healthcare systems and the impact of social determinants of health on cost, patient access, quality of care, and health outcomes.
11. Demonstrate professional identity formation by integrating personal values with clinical responsibilities and applying self-care strategies that support well being and patient safety.
12. Analyze the impact of public health principles and social, environmental, and structural determinants of health on individual patient care to identify systemic challenges and propose strategies to reduce healthcare disparities and improve health outcomes.
Topical Outline
• Gross anatomy of the kidneys, urinary tract, heart, thorax, mediastinum, lungs, upper airway, larynx, and associated neurovascular structures.
• Histological features of blood vessels, kidneys, urinary tract, heart, conducting airways, respiratory epithelium, alveoli, and related cardiopulmonary tissues.
• Normal development of the vascular, renal, cardiac, thoracic, and respiratory systems.
• Physiologic function of the renal, pulmonary, and cardiovascular systems, including fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, cardiac cycle, cardiac output, cardiac electrical activity, pulmonary circulation, gas exchange, oxygen and carbon dioxide transport, and pulmonary function testing.
• Acid-base physiology and pathophysiology, including renal and pulmonary regulation of pH and anion gap interpretation.
• Pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of selected renal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary disorders.
• Select topics related to evidence-based medicine, diagnostic reasoning, diagnostic test interpretation, screening, clinical decision thresholds, disease probability, diagnostic error, and application of clinical evidence to patient care.
• Collection of patient history and performance of select clinical examinations related to the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal systems.
• Performance and interpretation of select diagnostic and procedural skills.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Select topics related to professional behavior, patient safety, research ethics, cultural humility, teamwork, social and structural determinants of health, community health, interpersonal violence, mandated reporting, and professional identity formation.
