The working curriculum is developed based on the qualification requirements of the State Educational Standard of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the bachelor’s program in the relevant field of study. This program, applying modern pedagogical technologies in the learning process, provides students with the opportunity to move from theoretical knowledge to the acquisition of initial practical skills, integrating them with modern medical technologies, which allows their application in clinical practice.
Propaedeutics of Internal Diseases belongs to the 2nd block of clinical subjects. It is taught in the 2nd and 3rd years (4th–5th semesters). For the study of propaedeutics, subjects such as normal anatomy, histology, biochemistry, and physiology serve as a theoretical foundation. In turn, propaedeutics of internal diseases serves as a basis for specialties such as surgery, therapy, cardiology, neurology, obstetrics, and gynecology.
Teaching in each course and faculty is conducted according to the following approved documents:
- Qualification characteristics;
- State educational standard;
- Curriculum;
- Working curriculum;
- Components of teaching technology;
- Amendments based on Order No. 80 of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan;
- Approved diagnostic standards;
- International recommendations;
- Modern educational technologies (graphic organizers, case-based learning, project methodology).
Relevance of the Subject
This program is developed based on the State Educational Standard and the general practitioner training program and is intended for teaching students in higher medical education institutions the subject of propaedeutics of internal diseases.
Propaedeutics of internal diseases teaches the symptoms and syndromes of many illnesses, modern methods of diagnostic research of internal organs, establishing a diagnosis, and documenting patient history. Learning symptomatology and diagnostics cannot be separated from the study of specific pathology; in other words, there should be no distinction between methods of study and methods of understanding, as well as between objective knowledge. Symptomatology, diagnostics, and fundamentals of specific pathology must be taught in an integrated manner. Studying the main therapeutic diseases illustrates the clinical significance of symptoms. Students develop the habit of analyzing a patient’s medical history as a method of diagnosis. From the first days of clinical practice, students are taught the basics of medical deontology, which is an important task of propaedeutics of internal diseases. Knowledge of propaedeutics is essential for further study not only of therapy but also other clinical disciplines. Knowledge of disease symptoms, main diagnostic methods, and establishing diagnoses is required not only for therapists but also for surgeons, gynecologists, neurologists, and other clinical specialists.
Through the discipline of propaedeutics of internal diseases, a bachelor acquires theoretical, methodological, organizational, and practical skills, progressing toward independent work, i.e., preparing to become a general practitioner, analyzing clinical, laboratory, functional, and instrumental research data, and gradually making diagnoses.
In the process of studying propaedeutics of internal diseases, students develop modern concepts of disease, diagnosis, principles of diagnostics, mechanisms of symptom and syndrome development, as well as the basics of medical ethics and deontology.
Through propaedeutics, students study the causes of main pathological processes in the body and their mechanisms, concepts of key symptoms and syndromes, performing physical examinations (inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation), measuring blood pressure, examining the pulse, recording ECG, analyzing blood, urine, stool, sputum, gastric juice, duodenal contents, pleural fluid, and their clinical analysis, providing resuscitation in cases of clinical death, and the basics of medical deontology.
Relationship of the Subject with Other Courses and Methodological Continuity
The subject of propaedeutics of internal diseases belongs to the block of general professional subjects, taught in the 2nd–3rd years (4th–5th semesters) in the faculties of general medicine, pediatrics, and medical pedagogy.
Propaedeutics of internal diseases is part of the clinical disciplines and is taught in all bachelor-level medical programs. It is a clinical subject. To implement this program, the student curriculum includes clinical and natural science subjects through integration (normal anatomy, physiology, general biology and medical genetics, biochemistry, microbiology – vertical integration; pathological anatomy, pathological physiology, general surgery, pharmacology – horizontal integration).
Place of the Subject in Science, Practice, and Everyday Life
Propaedeutics of internal diseases is an important subject for forming the foundational medical knowledge of a general practitioner.
To perform professional activities, a general practitioner studies the prevalence and course of internal diseases, early diagnostics, treatment, engages in research aimed at preventing the spread of internal diseases among the population, and predicts disease progression. It is very important to solve core medical problems in healthcare institutions (therapeutic departments of central district, city, regional, and republican hospitals, multidisciplinary central city clinics, emergency medical centers, maternal and child health organizations, and sanatorium-resort institutions) by applying modern diagnostic and treatment methods. The subject is relevant across all levels of healthcare systems for addressing internal disease-related tasks.
Modern Information and Pedagogical Technologies in Teaching the Subject and Lesson Design
To ensure students effectively master the subject, it is important to use advanced and modern teaching methods, including new information and pedagogical technologies. Teaching resources include textbooks, teaching and methodological manuals, lectures, handouts, electronic materials, and case-based learning. Interactive methods are used in lectures and practical sessions (visual aids, problem-based learning, author lectures, bilateral analysis, clusters, Venn diagrams, cinquains, and others).
The instructor develops lesson plans for propaedeutics of internal diseases based on pedagogical technologies.
Purpose and Objectives of the Subject
Purpose of Teaching the Subject: Introduction of students to the basics of medical deontology, iatrogenesis, clinical examination methods (interview, inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation), step-by-step examination of organs and systems, system-wise study of main symptoms and syndromes, laboratory and instrumental studies of organs, and mastery of data interpretation skills.
Objective of the Subject: The main goal is to teach future general practitioners methods for examining the state of internal organs, assessing the overall condition of patients, and teaching methods of instruction in internal diseases in medical institutions.
Tasks of the Subject for Students:
- Study the patterns of main symptoms and syndromes;
- Learn step-by-step examination of organs and systems;
- Conduct laboratory and instrumental studies and interpret results;
- Make diagnostic conclusions based on research data;
- Study nosological forms of internal diseases;
- Learn principles of treatment of main internal diseases.
Upon mastering the subject, a bachelor should have knowledge of:
- Anatomy and physiology of internal organs;
- Functions of internal organs;
- Methods for examining internal organs;
- Palpation of the chest;
- Comparative and topographical percussion of lungs;
- Auscultation of lungs;
- Palpation and percussion of the heart (relative and absolute dullness);
- Auscultation of the heart;
- Blood pressure measurement;
- Pulse assessment;
- ECG recording and normal ECG interpretation;
- Superficial and deep palpation of the abdomen;
- Liver and kidney palpation, liver percussion according to Kurlov;
- Palpation and percussion of spleen;
- Palpation of lymph nodes;
- Analysis of laboratory data;
- Keeping patient medical records;
- Communication skills with patients.
Department Library:
- The library has over 40 textbooks in English, Uzbek, and Russian.
- The electronic library contains textbooks, atlases, manuals, methodological guides, and other materials.
