Basic Science and Early Professional Contact 2

The course is compulsory in The Study Programme in Medicine, 360 credits and constitutes semester 2.

Institute of Biomedicine

The core content of the semester comprises the following subjects: physiology, cell biology and immunology and certain fields in professional development (PU).

The teaching provides a thorough overview of the body's function from the cellular level to the organ level and an understanding of the maintenance of the body's homeostasis as well as the often simultaneous compensatory changes in multiple organs and regulatory systems that occur when it is threatened. The course thereby forms the basis for understanding changes that lead to diseases.

Issues within human rights and gender are addressed and students receive initial training in leading group discussions and providing feedback. Continued basic training in patient treatment takes place at clinical placement in inpatient care.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Summarise and explain how neurons function and communicate with one another and with other cells
• Account for the functional structure of and the function of the sensory and motor systems of the body
• Account for the organisation of the central nervous system and known function including frontal lobe functions, emotions, language, memory and sleep
• Account for the structure and function of the heart and the blood circulation from the cellular level to organ level, including the properties of the blood and the mechanism of origin behind the ECG
• Account for the structure and function of the respiratory organs and their regulation, including pathophysiological mechanisms in obstructive and restrictive lung diseases
• Account for the mechanism behind the kidney's urine production, the kidney's role for volume, electrolyte and pH regulation and its role as a hormone-producing organ
• Account for the body's acid-base regulation
• Account for the functions of the gastrointestinal tract and their regulation
• Account for the body's various hormones, their regulation and functions
• Account for the function of the reproductive organs, their regulation and changes during puberty and menopause, including the specific physiology of pregnancy and the fetus
• Account for the formation, development, activation and function of immune cells, the regulation of the immune response and the role of lymphoid organs in the immune system
• Account for the mechanisms for the communication, signal transduction, contact with one another and sorting of cells and secretion of proteins and vesicle transport for transport over membranes
• Account for the body's transition from rest to physical work
• Account for the physiology of growth and aging
• Account for the temperature regulation of the body
• Explain the consequences of an altered homeostasis for the body's organs and regulatory system
• Account for the energy and nutritional requirements of the body, eating habits in Sweden and Scandinavian nutritional recommendations
• Account for the patient's part in a consultation
• Account for basic clinical examination methods
• Account for what characterises different types of research publications and their respective role in scientific communication
• Account for research methods in physiology
• Account for the principles of feedback in group discussion context
• On a general level be able to explain key concepts related to sexualities, gender identity, sex expression, norm critique and intersectionality 
•  Account for various positions about animal testing and animals' rights and for research-ethical aspects that concern animal testing

Competence and skills

• Discuss complex physiological issues that simultaneously include cell, tissue and organs
• Describe basic mechanisms for the onset of symptoms and general principles of treatment for certain severe acute conditions
• Apply a person-centered approach by initiating an open-ended anamnesis together with the supervisor (applying the first step of the consultation model)
• Use a stethoscope to distinguish heartbeats and use blood pressure cuff to measure blood pressure
• Conduct sampling of vein and capillary blood
• Lead, summarize and contribute to a seminar discussion regarding issues within the course's subject areas
• Categorise the professions available at the health center and reflect on their collaboration
• Reflect on the challenges that non-norm-following patients and physicians may face in healthcare
• On a general level, reflect on own attitudes and biases in meetings with people of various socio-cultural background

Judgement and approach

• Demonstrate the ability to self-reflect on their role in seminar groups
• Reflect on the professions that exist in hospitals and their collaboration
• Demonstrate a professional attitude vis-à-vis patients, the relative and co-workers
• Through own planning take responsibility for the completion of your own education and thereby also identify and repeat former acquired relevant knowledge

The teaching activities will consist of:

• lectures
• team-based learning (TBL)
• laboratory sessions (take-home laboratory assignments and laboratory sessions with student-led reviews)
• group work
• seminars
• role play
• group exercise
• self-studies
• clinical placement

During the clinical placement, the student trains their proficiency to carry out for physicians central professional activities and may continuous feedback on these components according to the model for "Entrustable Professional Activities" (EPA) and participate in multi-disciplinary conferences (MDK).

Language of instruction: Swedish
Some parts may be given in English.

The course is examined through the following components:

• seminars and group work and completed progress test * (4.5 credits)
• laboratory sessions (2.5 credits)
• written examination I (4 credits)
• written examination II (4 credits)
• written examination III (4 credits)
• oral examination (8 credits)
• 3 days with VFU (1 credit)
• seminars and written assignments in early profession contact (0.5 credit)
• online and written assignments in Professional Development (PU) (1.5 credits) 

*The pre-clinical progress test is carried out once a semester during the semesters of the programme 1-4. The test is formative during semester 1-3; in semester 4, the test is summational and a part of level degree.

For approved clinical placement, attendance and completed steps are required according to the examination portfolio for Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA).

All compulsory elements must be completed in order to pass the course and, if missed, should be retaken as soon as possible by agreement with the course coordinator. This should take place, as soon as it is possible by agreement with the responsible teacher. For the final seminar on the semester (clinical seminar in endocrinology), the next examination session takes place during the following semester.

The number of occasions that a student may go through tests to pass oral examination is reduced to five occasions. Admission to the oral exam requires two out of three approved written examinations.

The number of clinical placements opportunities is limited to two (2) occasions.

If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for special support in learning when compatible with the learning outcomes of the course and provided that unreasonable resources are not required, the examiner may decide to allow the student adjusted conditions for exam or alternative form of assessment.

The examiner may, with immediate effect, suspend a student from his/her clinical placement or equivalent if the student shows a deficiencies in knowledge, skills or attitudes to the degree that there is significant risk for self-injury or physically or mentally injury of another person or that patient safety or the patients' confidence in healthcare is at risk. When the clinical placement is interrupted in this way it means that the student has failed the current course component, and that he/she may not continue the same clinical placement at a later stage. The reason for the interruption should be documented and an individual plan be established that states which activities and knowledge checks are required before the student can be offered a new clinical placement. A student who fails clinical placement has the possibility to retake the course once more.

If a student who has failed a compulsory element twice would like to have a different examiner at the next evaluation, such a request should be made in written to the institute. The request should be granted if possible (Chapter 6, Section 22, Higher Education Ordinance). In instances of when an evaluation is limited to two occasions, the student may request change of examiner after the first evaluation.

If the course has been discontinued or undergone substantial changes, the student is guaranteed at least three exams/evaluations (including the regular exam) within at least one year and maximum two years. With regard to clinical placements, the equivalent applies but is limited to only one additional occasion.

If a student meets the requirements for being a student at the Swedish Sports University (RIU student), the examiner has the right to decide on adaptation during examination, if this is done in accordance with Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass (G) and Fail (U).

Course evaluation takes place during an on-going course in the form of a Course Board, where the elected representatives of the course discuss with the course management representatives The protocol from the course board will be published on the university's learning platform. Written course evaluation takes place after the first half of the course and again after the end of the course with the help of a course evaluation survey. A compilation of the course evaluation is published in the virtual learning environment and forms the basis for development of the course.

The result and any changes in the course structure must be communicated to both the students who completed the evaluation and to the students who will start the course.

Elements of distance/web-based teaching can occur in the course which assume access to a computer, web camera and connection.

Clinical placements may be carried out outside the Gothenburg region and may involve travel costs for students.

At clinical placements, certain units may require the student to be able to present extract from the criminal record. It is therefore important that the student always has a valid extract that can be shown upon request. For some activities, ID checks of students may also occur.

At clinical placements, the Västra Götaland region and Region Halland's regulations for professional secrecy and confidentiality apply.

At clinical placements, the hospital hygienic routines are followed.