This course is fundamentally a survey course on human disease. The course has been organized by organ system (modules), and within each module, several disciplines (pathophysiology, pathology, pharmacology, etc.) contribute to presenting an integrated view of clinical disorders. Basis of Disease utilizes several learning modalities including lectures, problem based learning (PBL), laboratories, and small group sessions.


Lectures

Lectures are the backbone of the course. They have been limited to approximately six per week, and because of this limitation, considerable attention has been given to their content. In general, lectures have been chosen to introduce important concepts in both the basic science and clinical areas. Lecturers have been selected for their skill in this form of teaching as well as their expertise in particular subjects. A 1-hour lecture, however, cannot substitute for time spent with assigned texts, which are intended to flesh out the details of what must be a condensed presentation.

An on-line lecture repository has been created which can be reached directly at:

https://courses.med.cornell.edu/

or else by starting at the WCMC home page, and following the path through education, second year, to Basis of Disease, and the secure site. The slides depicted are either those used for last year's lecture, or when available, those that will be used this year. We will use the best we have (last year or this year's slides) to generate a handout prior to lecture.


Presentations

Presentations are to the full class, generally involve faculty from two or more clinical disciplines, and may include a patient interview. This exercise exposes the students to the full spectrum of clinical data available in clinical decision making. The cooperative relationships necessary for high-level clinical practice are emphasized.


Problem-Based Learning (PBL)

The Problem Based Learning (PBL) cases have a central role in Basis of Disease. The cases have been selected by the module leaders, usually with the objective of focusing attention on the clinical presentation of the most important issues considered in lectures and texts. Emphasis is on application of pathophysiological reasoning to help understand clinical presentation and aid in differentiating diagnostic possibilities. There will be little emphasis on treatment selection. Creativity in presenting information is encouraged and expected in these sessions that will take place every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00-9:30 AM.


Laboratories and Small Group Sessions

Labs and small groups are designed to provide a variety of learning experiences including "hands-on" and "eyes-on" acquisition of knowledge. Several sessions will be devoted to teacher-directed cases with the expectation that the students will actively participate to discuss a particular topic. Other small group sessions will involve computer-based pathology sessions and a variety of other activities.

Please note that preparation for small group sessions enhances the experience for both you and faculty. The most common complaint from BOD faculty is that when students come to problem sessions “cold”, the discussion is restricted to the most primitive level: “What do the words in this problem mean?” or “Can you recall anything that the lecturer said on this topic?”. Small group preparation is discussed (perennially) among the faculty, and proposals to encourage preparation, by taking attendance or grading student performance, have been dismissed as destructive of the student-faculty relationship. Accordingly, this is an appeal to your better angels: please take care that our junior faculty have a good experience during their time in this course.