School of Medicine
University of Patras
>University of Patras
HQA
Undergraduate Courses

Respiratory

Semester 6th ()

Code MED_621

Hours Lectures 45 hours / 2 weeks

Teachers

Description

  • Introduction

    • Principles of physiology of the respiratory system 1

    • Principles of physiology of the respiratory system 2

    • Principles of physiology of the respiratory system 3

    • Principles of physiology of the respiratory system 4

    • Cough

    • Sputum

    • Haemoptysis

    • Chest pain

    • Dyspnoea

  • Medical history and physical examination

    • Medical history

    • Physical examination

  • Diagnostic tests

    • Pulmonary Function Tests

    • Radiology of chest diseases

  • Obstructive Lung Diseases

  • Bronchial asrhma

  • Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

  • Oxygen therapy

  • Interstitial lung diseases

  • Lower respiratory tract infections

  • Pleural effusion

  • Tuberculosis

  • Lung cancer

  • Pulmonary embolism

  • Sleep apnoea

Scope

Pulmonary Medicine is taught during the second semester in the Auditorium. The aim of the course is to provide the student with essential knowledge in the field of pulmonary medicine. Pulmonary medicine is the science of respiratory system and its systematic study is essential for every medical student and medical doctor.

The lung participates in the exchange of respiratory gases, which is a critical procedure. Moreover, they play a role in human defense, as the airways lead the air inside the lung and may allow viruses and other microbes enter the bronchial tree. Finally, they allow waste substances to be excreted, while facilitating some other functions of human metabolism.

Symptoms of the respiratory system are quite frequent, and they are a leading cause of submissions to the emergency room.

The aim of the unit “Signs and symptoms” is to understand the main respiratory symptoms, namely cough, haemoptysis, chest pain and dyspnea.

The aim of the unit “Physical examination and history” is to analyze the methods of physical examination that can be used for the respiratory system. More specifically a careful medical history is needed, together with patient review, palpation, palpation, touch, and auscultation.

In the unit “Laboratory tests” the student understands spirometry, plethysmography, lung diffusion capacity test, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, arterial blood gases analysis, bronchoscopy, aspiration of pleural effusion and polysomnography. Moreover, more recent imaging techniques of the lung are analyzed, such as chest radiography and computed tomography.

The unit “Lung diseases” is dedicated to the most common respiratory diseases: Bronchial asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Lower respiratory tract infections, Interstitial lung diseases, Lung cancer, Pulmonary embolism, Sleep apnoea, Acid-Base Balace, Pleural effusion, Tuberculosis.

Generally, by the end of this course the student will, furthermore, have developed the following general abilities:

  • Understanding of the main principles of the respiratory system, the main symptoms and the correlation of the lungs to the other systems of the human body.

  • Knowledge of the most important diagnostic tests, as well as their importance in the diagnosis and staging of lung diseases.

  • Ability to take a complete patient history and reach a differential diagnosis.

  • Knowledge of the therapeutic approach in emergency and chronic lung diseases.

Reading Material

ERS handbook, Respiratory Medicine. Paolo Palange, Anita Simonds. 2013. European Respiratory Society. ISBN: 978-1-84984-040-8