- Docente: Guido Di Dalmazi
- Credits: 3
- SSD: MED/13
- Language: English
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Medicine and Surgery (cod. 9210)
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from Mar 19, 2024 to May 29, 2024
Learning outcomes
Describe the clinical manifestations, etiology, epidemiology, risk factor, natural history, diagnosis, staging prognostic indicators and management of the major diseases of the endocrine system, with emphasis on those most commonly encountered in the clinical practice. Identify the major diagnostic and therapeutic options for each encountered clinical scenario, and discuss their benefits and limitations. Present and critically analyze clinical cases, discuss the differential diagnosis, and formulate appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for each case (Problem-Based Learning).
Course contents
Introduction to the course, basic principles of endocrinology. The endocrine system, mechanisms of hormonal secretion, classification of hormones, circadian rhythms.
Pituitary gland. Pituitary tumors, hypopituitarism.
Thyroid. Hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, goiter, thyroiditis, carcinoma.
Calcium-phosphorus metabolism. Parathyroid diseases, osteoporosis.
Adrenal gland. Endocrine hypertension, hypercortisolism, adrenal incidentaloma, adrenocortical carcinoma, adrenal insufficiency.
Gonads. Hypogonadism (male and female), female hyperandrogenism, alterations of the menstrual cycle, infertility.
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) + Polyglandular Autoimmune (PGA) Syndrome.
Obesity. Classification, pathophysiology, complications, treatment.
Diabetes: Classification, pathophysiology and complications, treatment. Hypoglycemia.
Clinical case sessions.
Interactive multidisciplinary clinical case discussion.
Readings/Bibliography
Books:
- Williams Textbook of Endocrinology
- Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine (chapter on Endocrinology)
Online resources:
- Uptodate.com
Teaching methods
Interactive lectures based on knowledge of the pathophysiology of endocrine disorders. The lectures will also be focused on the clinical approach to the main endocrinopathies. Clinical case discussion and interactive clinical cases will be performed, by using dedicated online tools. Teaching materials and slides are made available to the students after the lesson.
Attendance and active participation in classroom activities are essential to promote critical thinking, knowledge of topics, problem solving skills and the overall learning process. During lessons, the teachers guides the students in the critical reading of the teaching materials and provides opportunities for online formative assessment.
Assessment methods
The final exam will be an oral summative assessment consisting of questions pertinent to the Learning Outcomes and Course Contents of all units comprising the Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases integrated course.
Professors of all course units participate in an overall collegial assessment of the student's final profit. The credits (6 CFU) of the integrated Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases course are awarded after passing the final summative assessment with a minimum grade of 18/30. Honors (cum laude) may be awarded to students who have achieved a maximal grade of 30/30 in the final summative assessment and have demonstrated exceptional learning outcomes.
The assessment regarding "Endocrinology" will be based on the fundamental knowledge of the endocrine pathophysiology, and problem solving and clinical reasoning on clinical cases.
Gradation of the final grade:
Insufficient: lack of preparation. Serious and repeated conceptual errors.
18-19: knowledge of the basic concepts without serious gaps. Exposition of concepts and language as a whole acceptable.
20-24: knowledge of the basic concepts without gaps. Ability to analyze and link in partial autonomy. Exposure of discrete concepts and language.
25-29: preparation of good or very good level or even excellent preparation but with inaccuracies in the presentation that compromise the achievement of full marks. Ability to analyze and link independently. Exposure of concepts in the right succession and mastery of the language.
30-30L: full preparation, consolidated and without inaccuracies on the topics covered in the course. Ability to promptly frame the topic. Ability to analyze and connect independently. Concepts in the right succession and full command of the specific language.
Teaching tools
The teaching material discussed during the lectures will be made available through the designated University of Bologna websites. Access is reserved to University of Bologna students registered to the Medicine & Surgery degree program.
Office hours
See the website of Guido Di Dalmazi
SDGs
This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.