Second Year

GI and Hepatobiliary Diseases

Course Number: MDC 7026A

The second year (M2) gastrointestinal disease block will begin in January of 2012. A brief review of normal anatomy and physiology followed by a discussion of the cardinal manifestations of GI disease will form the foundation for the student. Lectures in organ based pathophysiology and disease states form the structure for the course. Specific attention will be devoted to the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine and the liver and pancreas. Interwoven into this matrix are the icons of common presentations in gastroenterology. Most notably there will be special focus on abdominal pain, hepatitis, malabsorption and diarrhea, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal bleeding. The pediatric patient and the problems of obesity are also dealt with.

Throughout the course therapeutic and pharmacologic intervention are discussed. Time will be devoted to the understanding of GI radiographic imaging, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy and basic understanding of basic laboratory analysis. Multiple “for credit” sessions involving patient oriented problem solving will help the student reinforce competency in this course. Correlation with Patient-Centered Medicine sessions will guide development of history taking skills and physical examination of the patient. The learning objective for this course is to introduce the second year student to a broad overview of gastrointestinal pathology and build clinical acumen. This then constructs a solid foundation for the soon to follow clinical years as well as sound preparation for the Step I board examination.