Objectives of the course: The course offers knowledge on the surgical related diseases of the human organism. The students are also trained in taking medical history and performing physical examination in patients with problems in the spectrum of general surgery. The lectures are focused on the pathogenesis, pathophysiology, clinical picture, diagnosis and management of the diseases of the gastro-intestinal system, the hepato-pancreato-bilary system, the endoncrine glands and the vascular system.

Contents of the course: Acute abdomen. Peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscesses. Acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Diseases of stomach, duodenum and small intestine. The Appendix. Diseases of colon, rectum and anus. Diseases of liver, biliary system and exocrine pancreas. The spleen. Diseases of endocrine glands. General principles of laparoscopic surgery. Morbid obesity. Diseases of vascular system.

Mode and outcomes of teaching: The course is taught in combination with clinical practice in several groups of medical students. The teaching (lectures) is four hours/week. The clinical practice takes places in patient's wards, in the department of General Surgery of the University hospital of Ioannina. The students are divided in 6 groups (20-25 in each group). Every group has 4 weeks of clinical practice, every Tuesday- Thursday from 9.00 am -14.00. (40 hrs in total). The students are trained in history taking, physical examination, preoperative assessment of a surgical patient and differential diagnosis. The students are also exposed in the basic principles of general surgery: a. infection control and rational use of antiseptic solutions b. wound and trauma management c. parenteral administration of medication, fluids and electrolytes.

At the end of the course the students should be able to take effectively medical history and to communicate with the patients in an efficient way. They should be also able to perform a complete physical examination and to make differential diagnosis for diseases in the spectrum of general surgery.

Hours of training per student:52

Semester: 8th

ECTS: 5