Pathology

Module Description

This foundational module is structured to provide medical students with a fundamental understanding of the nature, causes, and development of disease processes. Bridging basic science and clinical practice, the module covers general and systemic pathology, focusing on the alterations in cells, tissues, and organs that lead to disease. Through a combination of lectures, laboratory work, and case studies, students will learn to correlate pathophysiological mechanisms with clinical manifestations, enhancing their diagnostic skills and therapeutic understanding. The module aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the molecular, genetic, and environmental factors contributing to disease, preparing students for informed clinical decision-making and patient care.


Module Goals

  • To understand the molecular and cellular basis of disease processes, including genetic, infectious, and environmental causes.

  • To develop the ability to identify and describe pathologic changes in tissues and organs and relate these changes to clinical symptoms and outcomes.

  • To apply knowledge of pathology in diagnosing diseases and formulating treatment strategies.

  • To cultivate a critical approach to the scientific literature in pathology, promoting lifelong learning and integration of new knowledge into clinical practice.


Module Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, students will:

Module Learning Objective

Medical Education Program Objective

Describe the causes and mechanisms behind cellular adaptations, injury and cell death (necrosis, apoptosis), and their pathological consequences.

Knowledge for Practice 8. Apply knowledge of the biomedical sciences to care for patients.

Explain the stages of inflammation and the roles of key cellular and molecular players in tissue repair, and their implications in health and disease.

Knowledge for Practice 8. Apply knowledge of the biomedical sciences to care for patients.

10. Apply principles of public and population health to the identification of health problems, risk factors, treatment strategies, resources, and disease prevention/health promotion efforts for patients and populations

Interpret basic histopathological and cytological findings in order to identify changes in tissues affected by diseases using gross, microscopic and/or digital platforms.

Patient Care

2. Interpret laboratory data, imaging studies, and other tests required for the area of practice. Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

13. Locate, appraise, and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to patients' health problems.

Correlate changes in tissue pathology with clinical symptoms and laboratory findings to aid in differential diagnosis and treatment planning.

Patient Care 3. Make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Knowledge for Practice 9. Apply established and emerging principles of clinical sciences to diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making, clinical problem-solving, and other aspects of evidence-based health care.

Assess the impact of genetic factors on the development of diseases, particularly focusing on inherited disorders and the genetics of cancer.

Knowledge for Practice 8. Apply knowledge of the biomedical sciences to care for patients.

Analyze pathologies specific to cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, liver, renal, and endocrine systems, understanding their causes (etiology) and development (pathogenesis).

Knowledge for Practice 9. Apply established and emerging principles of clinical sciences to diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making, clinical problem-solving, and other aspects of evidence-based health care.

Evaluate the effects of environmental and lifestyle factors on disease development and emphasize the role of preventive strategies in healthcare.

Knowledge for Practice 10. Apply principles of public and population health to the identification of health problems, risk factors, treatment strategies, resources, and disease prevention/health promotion efforts for patients and populations.

Explain the procedures for basic laboratory techniques used in pathology, such as staining and tissue preparation, and their applications in diagnostics.

Patient Care

1. Gather essential and accurate information about patients and their conditions through history-taking, physical examination, and the use of laboratory data, imaging, and other tests.

Discuss the multifaceted role of autopsies in enhancing clinical diagnosis, medical education, research, and public health surveillance, including the characterization of new diseases and patient autonomy.

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