Surgical, endovascular and medical management of cardiovascular disease, 4.5 credits

The general aims of the course are for the students to increase their knowledge of the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in the population and the very important primary and secondary preventive actions that must be taken to improve public health now and in the future.

The knowledge is tiered according to the SOLO taxonomy (S1-S4) and the skills according to Miller's pyramid (M1-M4) *.

Knowledge and understanding
The student should orally and be able to in writing
- explain the development of atherosclerosis (S3)
- explain and be able to relate the links between the relevant anatomy, such as vascular events and cardiovascular disease (S3)
- account for the occurrence of the most common cardiovascular atherosclerotic national diseases in Sweden and for the primary investigation that should be carried out at primary care level (S2)
- relate clinical diagnostics and diagnostic tools in these diseases to those used within primary care and specialist care, e. g. radiological (S3)
- compare and reflect on the modern current medical, radiological and surgical treatment of these diseases that are provided in primary care and specialist care (S3)
- At a general level, understand the most common complications of the treatments that are provided in these specialities (S2)

Skills:
The student should
- be able to primary process and diagnose patients from the major disease groups that are included in the cardiovascular disease complex at the level of primary care (M4)
- have obtained advanced skills in medical history taking and specific status training (M4)
- have increased his/her ability to assess patients' needs of investigation and treatment (M3)

Approach:
The student should
- be able to analyse and explain gender differences within the field (S3)
- be able to show a good understanding of modern and future multi-disciplinary treatment of cardiovascular disease (S3)

Diagnostic skills are trained with special focus on this today dominant patient group of the general practitioners. The students will increase their ability to assess patients' needs of an investigation and treatment and will obtain a good understanding of modern and future treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Gender perspective and public health perspectives will be emphasised e g possible gender differences in diagnostics, choice of primary and secondary preventive treatment and results of chosen treatment. Our specialities work with an increasing transnational orientation; the previous sharp dividing lines between cardiology, vascular surgery, thoracic surgery and interventional radiology have been erased and cooperation between specialists improve the treatment. This attitude to the patient dominates the course. In the course, small groups may participate actively in patient-close activities; clinics and studies, observing surgery, observing a PCI or PTA (balloon dilatation in coronary vessels or peripheral vessels). The students will be given opportunity to perform angiography on patients in simulators.
That all teachers work with clinical research in parallel with their clinical activities will of course permeat the lectures. Strong emphasis is also placed on a scientific attitude when epidemiology, treatment options and results are presented.
In the course, elements from a large number are integrated by the defined "funktionssystemen", e g the field circulation (e g chest pains, heart murmurs, blood pressures, swelling extremity), hematopoiesis (hemorrhagic disorder, fever), respiration (dyspnea), digestion (e g abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, resistance in the abdomen), mental (e g unconsciousness, anxiety, concern), senses (e g vision disorder, dizziness), skin (intractable wounds, wound), development/aging (e g unexpected death) and movement (e g pain in extremity, abnormal time, paralysis).

If a course has been closed down or undergone major changes, at least two additional examinations (excluding regular examinations) in the previous contents are provided during a period of a year from the date of the change.

The course connects to and enhances core knowledge within the Study Programme in Medicine.

Course evaluation take place according to the guidelines that have been stated by the Board of education at Karolinska Institutet.

The course may not be included in a degree at the same time as an advanced course completed inside or outside the country, the contents of which fully or in essential parts corresponds to the current course contents. If you are uncertain - contact the study guidance.

*
The knowledge is tiered according to the SOLO taxonomy:
S1) simple (e.g. know, identify),
S2) compound (e.g. account for, describe),
S3) related (e.g. analyse, relate), and
S4) extended (e.g. theorise, analyse). The skills are structured according to Miller's pyramid:
M1) know,
M2) know how to carry out
M3) be able to demonstrate, and
M4) be able to carry out in a professional manner.