James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2001

MD1006:03

Gastrointestinal Medicine and Nutrition

Townsville

13 lectures, 52 hours other. Full year.

Available to level 1 students enrolled in the MBBS program.

Staff: Dr E Teleni.

Students will be introduced to the normal structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas as these relate to the processing of food and nutrients in the human body. Students will learn about nutritional assessments and will be introduced to diseases and disorders related to nutrition and the gastrointestinal tract.

Learning Objectives:

  1. to develop an understanding of the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract and familiarity with common disorders of the gastrointestinal function;
  2. to acquire the necessary skills to undertake a basic patient examination and to take a patient history related to the gastrointestinal system;
  3. to develop knowledge and understanding of the essentials of a healthy diet, the processes of metabolism, undernutrition and obesity and the relationship of diet to diabetes and cardiovascular disease;
  4. to acquire the necessary skills to undertake a nutritional assessment;
  5. to understand the role of gastrointestinal and nutritional health and preventive medicine in the Australian context particularly for tropical, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and rural communities;
  6. to appreciate the important role of ethical, psychological and sociological considerations in interfacing with patients and their families.

Assessed as part of the end-of-year integrated examination consisting of a written component (67%) and a practical component (33%); informal on-course assessment tasks.