Nephrology Curriculum – Students will have to learn and be tested on the following information laid out in the curriculum*. All information can be accessed in the resources and lecture videos listed below the curriculum.
General Overview
The student should be able to:
Course Objectives
- understand the signs, symptoms and management of common renal syndromes including acute kidney injury and chronic renal failure, glomerulonephritis, and nephrotic syndrome.
- understand and interpret laboratory tests, medical imaging and diagnostic studies employed in the assessment of renal function.
- understand the diagnosis and management of fluid, electrolyte and acid-base disorders.
- understand the diagnosis and management of primary and secondary hypertension.
Technical and Interpretation Skills
Students are expected to acquire certain technical skills and interpretation that are commonly employed in medical care. Wherever possible, appropriate students are encouraged to participate in procedures under adequate supervision.
The student should be able to:
- interpret a complete blood count.
- interpret common chemistry measurements
- calculate creatinine clearance (Cockcroft-Gault, abbrev. mdrd)
- interpret results of a urinalysis and culture
- interpret microalbumin/creatinine ratio
- interpret arterial blood gas measurements.
- interpret serum and urine electrolyte measurements.
General Clinical Core Competencies
The curriculum detailed below (adapted from the CDIM-SGIM Core Medicine Clerkship Curriculum Guide Ver.3.0) specifies and prioritizes course objectives in terms of the basic internal medicine core clinical competencies and the specific learning objectives (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) pertinent to those competencies. Every effort should be made to integrate them into the nephrology clerkship.
RENAL DISEASES AND TOPICS
The student is responsible for reviewing these topics during the nephrology elective.
- Nephrology
- Acute kidney injury
- Acid-base disorders
- Fluid and electrolyte disorders
- Hypertension
- Dysuria
Additional reading in the following areas is recommended:
- Primary and secondary arterial hypertension
- Disorders of sodium and water homeostasis
- Potassium disorders
- Disorders of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus
- Acid-Base disorders
- Acute kidney injury
- Glomerular disorders and nephrotic syndrome
- Tubulointerstitial disease
- Nephrolithiasis
- Vascular disorders to the kidney
- Dialysis in the treatment of renal failure
- Transplantation in the treatment of renal failure
- Obstructive uropathy
- Urinary tract infections, pyelonephritis, and prostatitis
- Polycystic kidney disease
Implementation
Course objectives are to be accomplished in a College affiliated hospital or clinical facility, under supervision. Course objectives should be covered during the rotation to assure adequate student preparation for board examinations and clinical practice. The use of diverse methods appropriate to the individual and the clinical site are encouraged, but patient-centered teaching is optimal.
Didactic methods to achieve required objectives include:
- Reading assignments
- Lectures
- Computer-assisted programs (if available)
- Student attendance at/participation in formal clinical presentations by medical facultyClinically oriented teaching methods may include:
- Assignment of limited co-management responsibilities under supervision
- Participation in clinic visits, daily patient rounds and conferences
- Supervised and critiqued clinic work-ups of patients admitted to the service
- Assigned, case-oriented reading case presentations
*Nephrology Curriculum – This curriculum is a curriculum formed by the Des Moines University School of Osteopathic Medicine.