Clinical Research and Reasoning in Internal Medicine

Course Objective

After the minor the student can:

1. The primary learning objective of the minor is to stimulate clinical and scientific knowledge and skills related to the broad discipline of internal medicine
   
2. critically appraise scientific literature and research designs (e.g. with regard to internal medicine and drug research)
   
3. give a scientific (poster) presentation
   
4. write scientifically (e.g. mini paper, research proposal)
   
5. debate on the roles of the pharmaceutical industry, the government and healthcare professionals in (drug) research in internal medicine
   
6. reflect on the use, the level of evidence and accessibility of guidelines and other sources frequently used in clinical care

Course Content

Internal medicine is the medical specialty dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of adult diseases. Internal medicine is a broad discipline, covering various fields such as acute medicine, cardiovascular aging & geriatrics, clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, transgender medicine and endocrinology.
The VUmc Department of Internal Medicine is a leading center with expertise in the fields of academic research and (complex & multidisciplinary) clinical care. The discipline of internal medicine intersects with many other fields in medicine and this reflected in the minor offered. The minor aims to give both a broader and deeper appreciation of issues relevant to internal medicine within both fields of research and clinical care. The Department of Internal Medicine collaborates with numerous other departments in carrying out clinical research and is part of a large number of research institutes, such as Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS), Cancer Centre Amsterdam (CCA), Amsterdam Public Health (APH) and LEARN.

Additional Information Teaching Methods

Scientific presentations and assignments, student run clinic, (clinical)
side visits, real life assignments, group assignments, CATs (Critical
Appraisal of a Topic), debates, lectures (with active participation of
the students), study groups, e-learning and practicals.
Bonus activity:
In addition to all the research related activities in the minor students
are given the opportunity to work (a few hours) in real practice in one
of the Student Run Clinic’s(SRC), with real responsibility for patient
care! Theme’s addressed in the SRC are for example hypothyroidism in
pregnant women, transgender care, pharmacovigilance and polypharmacy.

Method of Assessment

The minor will be assessed by a wide variety of exams and assignments, such as scientific (mini)papers and presentations, scientific poster presentations, scientific literature assignments, real life assignments (e.g. with CBG/LAREB), group assignments (e.g. debate), written exams (open ended questions/MC), simulation based scenarios, performing of a debriefing and scenario based training assignments.

Additional Information Target Audience

Bachelor’s students of Faculty of Medicine and external (and international) students with a (bio)medical background.

Explanation Canvas

This minor is supported by a corresponding CANVAS course, which contains all of the required information of this minor including an overview of the required articles and assignments. The CANVAS course will also be used to post announcements relevant to the minor. You will automatically have access to the CANVAS course.

Recommended background knowledge

General medical knowledge and interest in research in the broad field of internal medicine is recommended.