The main objective of the semester is to convey insight in several common disease groups in internal medicine and surgery, in their pathogenesis and symptom based diagnostics. The students will learn about nutrition for the patient and how disorders can be treated pharmacologically, endoscopically and surgically.

Communication training and understanding the function of a healthcare system employing many group of skilled workers, is of central importance.

The student shall develop skills in clinical examination and write good case records on admission of patients to hospital.

Content:

The semester includes subjects that includes digestive disease, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, pediatrics, geriatrics, acute medicine, societal medicine and international health. During two weeks of practivcal activities in patient wards, the students will have a well structured study program in patient communication skills and co-operation within a healtcare organisation.

Knowledge

• have good knowledge of pathophysiology, symptoms, clinical findings, investigations and treatment in digestive disorders, malnutrition, pediatrics, geriatrics, trauma and disorders of the musculo-skeletal system.
• be able to explain the structure, laws and function of the Norwegian healthcare system, including how the different organizational leves co-operate.
• Be able to explain the challenges for healthcare in countries with poverty and know the most common diseases in these countries.

Skills

• have developed good communicative skills with patients, their closest relatives and other healthcare professionals
• have developed good skills in clinical examination including that of the musculoskeletal system and abdomen, and be able to assess the nutritional status of patients in all age groups
• write well structured clinical records for patients on admission to medical and surgical departments

General competance

• function well in co-operation with other groups of healthcare workers in hospital wards and with the different healthcare professionals in primary care

• Group education, clinics and team-based learning
• Clinical practice with portefolio submission of reflective notes
• Communication course

• At the end of the semester the students will have an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Knowledge and skills from all subjects taught during the first three years of the, but with emphasis on subjects from the 5th and 6th semesters.
• There will also be a written exam based mainly on multiple choice questions .