05118 - Medical Clinic and Medical Treatment (AK-B)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have developed:

• The ability to apply clinical reasoning in the analysis and management of the most common and significant medical conditions.

• Proficiency in the use of appropriate methodologies to collect clinical, functional, and laboratory data, and to critically interpret these findings — including from a pathophysiological perspective.

• The capacity to evaluate the cost-benefit ratio of diagnostic procedures and make informed choices accordingly.

• Skills in problem-solving and clinical decision-making, through the analysis of benefits, risks, and costs, in line with the principles of evidence-based medicine and diagnostic-therapeutic appropriateness.

• The competence to outline therapeutic strategies for the most relevant medical conditions, making decisions grounded in current best evidence.

Course contents

The course is structured around the interactive discussion of clinical cases in Internal Medicine, with particular attention to multi-organ conditions.

Through a case-based learning approach, students will be guided in the development of key clinical skills, including:

• collection and interpretation of medical history (anamnesis);

• physical examination and clinical semiotic evaluation;

• formulation of differential diagnoses;

• evidence-based selection of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging;

• therapeutic planning and assessment of treatment efficacy and potential adverse effects.

Where appropriate, targeted reviews of pathophysiology and clinical pharmacology will be provided to support the understanding of the clinical scenarios discussed.

Readings/Bibliography

1) RUGARLI – Medicina Interna Sistematica. Masson Ed.

2) NUTI - Semeiotica Medica. Minerva Medica Ed.

3) HARRISON – Principi di Medicina Interna. McGraw-Hill Ed.

4) CECIL – Trattato di Medicina Interna. Verduci Ed.

5) BARTOLI – Medicina Interna: Metodologia, Semeiotica, Fisiopatologia Clinica, Terapia Medica. Restless Ed.

Teaching methods

Lectures with interactive discussion on the clinical cases under examination

Assessment methods

The final examination consists of an oral test based on the discussion of clinical cases in internal medicine. The student will be asked to reason through each case with particular focus on medical history taking, physical examination, selection and interpretation of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging. The therapeutic approach to the case will also be discussed.

The purpose of the oral exam is to assess the student's ability to apply diagnostic and therapeutic knowledge in a clinical setting, and to demonstrate logical-deductive reasoning skills.

Grading criteria:

• 18–21: Very limited preparation on the topics discussed during the exam; clinical reasoning emerges only with significant guidance from the examiner; language is generally correct.

• 22–24: Fair preparation with autonomous reasoning limited to factual or theoretical knowledge; expression is correct and appropriate.

• 25–29: Good preparation on several topics; ability to independently apply critical reasoning; appropriate use of medical terminology.

• 30–30 cum laude: Comprehensive and in-depth preparation on all topics; ability to autonomously integrate, analyse, and connect information; excellent use of medical terminology; strong argumentation skills and capacity for self-reflection.

Teaching tools

The slides are available in electronic format on the Alma Mater website.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Tovoli