Gastrointestinal (GI)

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Describe the mechanism of action of drugs used to treat gastrointestinal diseases, and the principles underlying non-pharmacological treatment options
• Describe the epidemiology of common conditions affecting this system, and approaches to disease prevention
• Identify links between the basic sciences and clinical case histories
• Recognise the impact of disease and dysfunction of the gastrointestinal system on patients and their families and the scope of treatment and management options available within healthcare
• Recognise social consequences of gastrointestinal disease, including patients, their families and wider society
• Describe methods available to study gastrointestinal disease in individual patients and justify their use
• Demonstrate appropriate numeracy skills in the calculation and interpretation of quantitative scientific and clinical data
• Describe the normal structure, function and development of the gastrointestinal system
• Identify the main mechanisms by which structure and function of the gastrointestinal system is disturbed during disease processes and describe the scientific bases of diseases that result
• Describe the principles behind, justify reasons for, and begin to interpret relevant clinical investigations
• Identify psychological causes and consequences of gastrointestinal disease

Anatomy and embryology

The development and gross anatomy of the:

• Foregut region of the GI tract and related structures
• Midgut region of the GI tract and related structures
• Hindgut region of the GI tract and related structures
• Liver and related structures

Biochemistry

• Liver function
• Protein and amino acid metabolism
• Bile

Clinical topics

• Anaemia
• Radiology of the abdomen
• Mucosal barrier
• Molecular virology of hepatitis
• Malnutrition and GI disorders
• Parasites of the gut
• Viral gastroenteritis
• Clinical examination, pain, and spread of diseases
• Coeliac disease

Histology

• Gut tube
• GI accessory glands

Nutrition

• Appetite
• Nutrition and the colon

Pathology

• Fibrosis, cirrhosis and fatty change
• Barrett’s oesophagus
• Chronic pancreatitis

Pharmacology

• Anti-ulcer drugs
• Anti-microbials
• Anti-malarial drugs
• Anti-viral and anti-fungal drugs
• Drugs in liver and kidney disease
• Diarrhoea and constipation

Physiology

• Functions of the mouth and stomach
• Secretions of the GI system
• Pancreas and biliary tree
• Calcium, vitamins and iron
• Digestion and absorption
• Colon, rectum, and anal canal

Psychology

• GI disorders: Psychological causes and consequences

Professionalism and communication

• Use verbal and written communication effectively
• Learn independently and manage your time appropriately
• Behave professionally to peers, staff and colleagues
• Dyspepsia, ulcers and reflux:
• H. pylori epidemiology and screening
• Physiology and pathology of upper GI diseases
• Diagnosis and management of upper GI diseases
• Drug treatments
• Liver disease
• Epidemiology
• Pathology in the management of liver disease
• Physiological and biochemical consequences of cirrhosis
• GI infection and immunology
• GI infections and diarrhoea
• Microbiological examination of infective diarrhoea, public health

role, and interventions for reducing diarrhoeal morbidity or mortality

• Mucosal immunology and infection
• IBD and Coeliac disease
• Pathology of IBD and Coeliac disease
• Immunology of IBD and Coeliac disease
• Clinical aspects of IBD and Coeliac disease
• Clinical pharmacology of IBD and Coeliac disease
• Colorectal cancer
• Epidemiology and screening
• Genetics
• Pathology
• Surgical aspects

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught through a range of learning and teaching strategies which will include:

• Lectures
• Tutor led small group sessions/tutorials
• Practical sessions
• Guided self-study
• eLearning

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

Faculty of Medicine. Anatomy theme website. Anatomy and histology interactive materials.

Faculty of Medicine. GI virtual patients.

The standard textbooks on the BM5 Recommended Reading List.

Faculty of Medicine. Pathology interactive practicals (PiPs).

Textbooks

Griffiths M. (2012). Crash Course Gastrointestinal System. Mosby.

Smith ME, Morton DG (2010). The Digestive System. Churchill Livingstone.

Assessment strategy

At the end of year 2 there is a synoptic examination comprising four elements; a written paper, MCQ and practical paper covering material from Renal, Nervous System, Gastro-intestinal System, Endocrine and Life Cycle and Research for Medicine and Health modules. There is compensation between these three components however a qualifying mark needs to be achieved in each of the components. Students who fail any/all of these components will have a supplementary attempt which will consist of all 3 components. A fourth stand alone component of the synoptic exams is a Critical Appraisal which must be passed independently of the other three components and without compensation. Students who fail the Critical Appraisal component will have a supplementary attempt for that component. Students who fail the supplementary examinations will be offered a repeat year.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal