Course Title: Diagnosis 8

Part A: Course Overview

Course ID: 007277

Course Title: Diagnosis 8

Credit Points: 16

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
MEDS1045	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	150H Health Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006

Course Coordinator: Dr. Russell Banks

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99257755

Course Coordinator Email: russell.banks@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Diagnosis4; Pathology2

Course Description

This course will emphasise two discrete perspectives:- That of complaints heralding problems associated with a particular organ system. The differential diagnosis of important symptoms suggesting dysfunction of each organ system will be the focus.- A consideration of conditions prevalent in primary disorders in primary practice. In this instance each organ system will be considered with a view to:-the prevalence of possible disorders in primary practice.-diagnostic criteria.-the relevance in early diagnosis to modifying the natural history of the disease and the prevention of complications.-the indications for referral.-the monitoring of progress.-some awareness of standard drug therapy and the potential for adverse effects.-the possibility for nutritional intervention, including a brief review of macronutrients and micronutrient physiology is followed by nutritional intervention of key diet related conditions

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

On completion of this course, students shall be expected to be able to:1. Recognise the clinical presentation of important visceral disorders by integrating physical and historical data and identifying the pathophysiological process responsible for the patient’s complaint.2. Demonstrate an understanding of how to screen for visceral disorders by establishing differential and working diagnoses from information acquired through:-considering factors which may explain physical findings-objectively exploring physical findings related to the patient’s problems-integrating physical examination and historical data-using probable pathophysiological processes underlying the patient’s complaints as a basis for prognostication/referral3. Implement safety guidelines in the care of patients with visceral complaints by:-being aware of personal and professional limitations-evaluating diagnostic data to determine indications and contraindications to care-using the presumptive diagnosis as a basis for making management/referral decisions-recognising situations in which the working diagnosis suggests that:-responsibility for the health problems identified an a specific patient should be accepted-consultation and/or participation in concurrent care with other health providers is preferable-referral for further patient evaluation and/or care is required.4. Demonstrate awareness of some chemical interventions with respect to:-the potential for certain nutrients to be used as therapeutic agents-the sign and symptoms suggestive of adverse drug effects. Only certain drugs encountered in Chiropractic / Osteopathic practice are considered.5. Demonstrate understanding of Clinical Nutrition Interventions with respect to:-Students will be aware of key diagnostic evaluation of key diet related conditions and provide nutritional advice to attain favourable health outcomes.6. Demonstrate awareness of Complementary Medicine Systems of Health Care with respect to:-Integrative medicine approaches and an introduction to CAM and health enhancement-Introduction to the orthodox health system and inter-professional communication -Evidence based medicine -politics and practice of evidence -Regulatory environment for CAM and CAM products -Introduction to herbal medicine -Drug herb and drug nutrient interactions

See under capability development

Overview of Learning Activities

Lectures (It is planned that the Clinical Nutrition component will involve 13 hours of lectures and include Nutrition Industry Expert Speakers)TutorialsSelf-directed learning (Clinical nutrition component will involve approximately 10 hours)Students are expected to explore the material independently and read widely in the area.Students will have leaders in nutritional medicine guest lecture to provide them with a broad knowledge base. Students will be expected to attend all classes to completely understand the philosophy of this subject

Overview of Learning Resources

Students are advised to select a standard general diagnostic text which suits their learning style

Overview of Assessment

Type of Assessment:Up to a 3-hour examination paper at the end of Semester 1.Assignment in the Clinical Nutrition Component. This must be handed in class and will not be accepted by email. (If late, a penalty of 2 marks per day will be deducted from the final grade). Assignment is due in on April 20th.The written examination is closed-book. It may consist of multiple-choice, true-false, short and/or extended answers. Knowledge in diagnosis is cumulative and information taught in previous years may be included. A thorough knowledge of pathology is expected and is an important background to successful completion of the subject.Organ systems component (excluding Clinical Nutrition and Complementary Medicine) - 75%Including up to 1.5% / week gained by attending class & completing Review of Class material (Handed in during the class). Review involves notation of details relating to the following headings; Clinical presentation of the patient, Diagnosis, Differential Diagnoses, Management of the patient, Prognosis / Outcome and Interesting aspects of the Case. A template is available for your convenience. Clinical Nutrition component - 16%(Written exam component of Clinical Nutrition 12%, Assignment component of Clinical Nutrition 4%)Complementary Medicine Component - 9%Students who do not meet attendance requirements or who do not pass each assessment in each unit, additional assessment may be offered after consideration of their circumstances. Supplementary/Deferred/Additional Assessments be held in ‘week 4’ of semester 2 examination period (week commencing 14th of November 2005). [Or earlier by agreement between examiner and student].