83145 - History of Medicine

Learning outcomes

Integrated Course: The Integrated Course in HUMANITIES AND SCIENTIFIC METHODS aims to provide students with an initial but structured understanding of how humanistic, social, and scientific disciplines contribute to health and medical practice. Through this interdisciplinary approach, students will explore key historical milestones in medicine, fundamental ethical principles, and communication strategies in the doctor–patient relationship, as well as the psychological and cultural dimensions of health. They will also examine major determinants of health and disease — including inequalities — and acquire essential skills in medical statistics, epidemiology, and scientific research methodology. By the end of the Integrated Course, students will be able to understand the role of evidence, data, context, and values in shaping healthcare practice and public health policies. Learning Activity: By the end of the HISTORY OF MEDICINE course the studentwill be able to:- Outline the history of the medical sciences from classic times till today, focusing on the birth of morpho-functional disciplines, the concept of disease throughout the ages, and the progress of surgical and therapeutic sciences.

Course contents

This course is part of the Integrated Course in Humanities and Scientific Methods. The Integrated Course aims to provide students with an initial but structured understanding of how humanistic, social, and scientific disciplines contribute to health and medical practice. Through this interdisciplinary approach, students will explore key historical milestones in medicine, fundamental ethical principles, and communication strategies in the doctor–patient relationship, as well as the psychological and cultural dimensions of health. They will also examine major determinants of health and disease — including inequalities — and acquire essential skills in medical statistics, epidemiology, and scientific research methodology. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand the role of evidence, data, context, and values in shaping healthcare practice and public health policies. 

The History of Medicine course uses the history of bioethics as a thematic "lens" within the broader history of medicine. The topics covered will be:

• The origins: from Hippocratic ethics to the birth of modern deontology;
• The atrocities of the 20th century and the birth of "bioethics" as a discipline;
• The revolution of informed consent and autonomy

 

Readings/Bibliography

Pdfs of the powerpoint presentations of the lectures will be the material to be reviewed for the exam together with some scientific papers presented during the lectures. These matherials will be available on Virtuale after each lecture. 

Also, the following reading is suggested:

Albert R. Jonsen, The birth of bioethics, Oxford University Press 2003.

Teaching methods

Lectures and Structured discussions on selected themes

Assessment methods

The final exam is a joint written test covering all the teaching units of the Integrated Course. It consists of a paper-based, multiple-choice quiz with 32 questions (each with 4 choices, only one of which is correct). The number of questions for each unit is proportional to its number of CFU:

• History of Medicine: 4 questions
• Ethics and Behavioural Sciences: 8 questions
• Medical Statistics and Epidemiology: 8 questions
• Scientific Research Methodology: 4 questions
• Determinants of Health and Disease: 8 questions

The exam lasts 30 minutes. There are no penalties for wrong or blank answers.

The test is passed with at least 18 correct answers, provided that the student answers at least one question correctly in each module. A score of 31 or 32 correct answers is awarded with 30 cum laude (30L). Students who fail the exam can retake it on the next available date.

Grades will be sent by email to each student's institutional address (@studio.unibo.it). The student has three days to reject the grade by replying to the professor's message. After that, the grade will be considered accepted without exception and recorded.

Reviewing the exam with the professor is possible, upon request, only in case of a failing grade. Details about the test questions or the student's incorrect answers will not be shared by email.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or those with temporary or permanent disabilities are advised to contact the relevant office in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) to arrange appropriate compensatory measures. The request must be submitted to the professor at least 15 days before the exam date. The professor will assess the suitability of the proposed measures in relation to the course's learning objectives.

Teaching tools

The slides and scientific articles presented in class will be made available to students on the university's online platform Virtuale, along with other selected teaching materials.

Office hours

See the website of Ludovica De Panfilis