Course syllabus for Right treatment to the right patient at the right time: precision medicine within immune-mediated diseases

Rätt behandling till rätt patient i rätt tid: precisionsmedicin inom immunmedierade sjukdomar

Specific entry requirements

A passing grade in semesters 1–10 is required.

A student who has failed workplace-based learning (VFU) or equivalent due to serious deficiencies in knowledge, skills, or professional conduct that have jeopardized patient safety or public trust in healthcare is eligible for a new VFU/VIL opportunity only once the individual action plan has been completed.

Outcomes

The overall aim of the course is for the student to train the professional role of a physician within healthcare teams. Based on previous courses in the medical programme, the student shall broaden and deepen clinical competence in clinical medicine with a focus on precision medicine within immune-mediated diseases. The student is expected to achieve a higher level of independence in skills of importance for the physician profession.

Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes are aligned with the national learning objectives for the medical degree as stated in the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100). Learning outcomes related to knowledge and understanding are categorized according to the SOLO taxonomy (S2–S5), and learning outcomes related to skills and abilities are categorized according to Miller’s pyramid (M3–M4).

Knowledge and understanding
• Recognize, describe, diagnose, and reason around treating principles for common acute and chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases (S3)
• Describe less common inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases (S2)
• Describe and theorize principles of precision medicine within inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases (S4)
• Describe and explain indications and contraindications for joint aspiration and intra-articular steroid injection (S4)

Skills and abilities
• Independently obtain an adequate medical history for common acute and chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases, perform relevant physical examination (including full musculoskeletal examination), prioritize a working diagnosis, establish an initial diagnostic plan, and initiate treatment (M3; EPA 1–4)
• Identify the need for and propose preventive measures (primary or secondary prevention) (M3; EPA 5)
• Perform joint aspiration for synovial fluid analysis and intra-articular steroid injection (M4; EPA 6)
• Collaborate with other professions, healthcare services, municipalities, and authorities (M4; EPA 9)
• Contribute to a culture of patient safety (M4; EPA 10)

Approach and professional conduct
• Interact with patients, next of kin, fellow students, teachers, and healthcare staff in a respectful, empathetic, and professional manner.
• Act and conduct oneself with good judgment and professionalism in clinical and other learning situations.

Content

The course integrates and deepens elements of the theoretical content of the medical programme through an extended period of workplace-based learning (VFU/VIL) in clinically active healthcare teams, enabling practical professional training that prepares students for future work as practicing physicians. The course emphasizes precision diagnostics, precision medicine, and prevention within immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases and includes simulation-based training, interprofessional learning, and patient-centred, equitable care.

Teaching methods

The primary teaching and learning activity is clinical service within healthcare teams under supervision with individual feedback. Students participate in approximately four consecutive weeks of workplace-based learning (VFU/VIL) and one week of theoretical instruction including lectures, seminars, team-based learning (TBL), and a critical incident analysis (CIA).

Examination

**Compulsory course components
**Compulsory participation

• course introduction
• workplace-based learning (VFU)/workplace-integrated learning (VIL)
• teacher-led skills training

Compulsory formative assessments

• EPA and/or SKA (composite clinical activities) – at least weekly
• teacher-led medication prescribing and medication reports

Examination components

• oral examination based on presentation of a patient case identified during VFU/VIL
• written examination (literature-based case report)
• assessment during VFU/VIL** of EPAs/SKAs: observed level of independence in relation to the defined performance level for each skills-based learning outcome
• assessment of professional conduct***

** Examination during VFU consists of a summative assessment based on repeated formative assessment material from VFU.

*** Learning outcomes related to professional conduct are assessed continuously. In cases of insufficient achievement, the examiner may fail the student in VFU and establish an individual action plan.

Other directives

Language of instruction: Swedish; teaching and literature in English may occur.

Course evaluation is conducted in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s guidelines.