Medicine Autumn School – Part 2
Day One: Neurology
10.30 – 11.30: Introduction to Neurology
Neurology is the branch of medicine which deals with the function and pathologies of the
brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. This session will cover the anatomy of
the brain and central nervous system, looking at which areas are responsible for language,
personality, development, memory etc. and the consequences of brain injury to these areas.
10.30 – 13.00: Vision, Somatic Sensation, Reflexes and Hearing
A major role of the neurological system is to control our senses and reflexes. During this
session, the mechanisms of each sense will be explored, and we will look at how the senses
interact with the central nervous system and manifest in the brain; and our subjective
experience of sense impressions. The session will also allow students to perform some key
tests on one another’s senses and reflexes.
13.00 – 14.00: Lunch
14.00 – 15.00: Vision, Somatic Sensation, Reflexes and Hearing contd.
15.00 – 15.45: Neurological case studies
We will be examining the mechanisms, symptoms and treatment of conditions which
develop as a result of neurological problems, including Parkinson’s disease, muscular
sclerosis and myasthenia gravis.
15.45 – 16.30: Ethical case study - Allocation of Transplants
Given the connection between Huntington’s and alcoholism, we will discuss how the
treatment of different individuals should be prioritized within the NHS. Where diseases
such as alcoholism, or cancer as a result of smoking, require treatment from a pool of
finite resources, the NHS must decide how to allocate scarce resources. Should it matter
that someone might be partially responsible for their disease when considering their
treatment?
Day Two: Psychiatry and Pulmonology
10.30 – 12.00: The Respiratory system
Students will be introduced to the respiratory system by looking at how it functions. In
particular we will consider the principles of gas exchange, the cycle and regulation of
breathing and lung capacity. Students will then conduct an experiment to test their own
vital capacity.
12.00 – 13.00: Pulmonary case studies
Once students have a familiarity with the normal function of the lungs we will look at the
effects of conditions such as tuberculosis and cystic fibrosis and the treatments available in
such cases. Students will then apply their knowledge to interactive case studies in
respiratory disease.
13.00 – 14.00: Lunch
14.00 – 14.45: What is Psychiatric Medicine?
Psychiatric medicine is concerned with the study, diagnosis and treatment of mental
disorders. This has a wide scope including behavioural, perceptive, affective and cognitive
abnormalities. In this session, we will discuss the classification of psychiatric disorders and
the particular ways in which doctors may deal with psychiatric patients.
14.45 – 15.30: Diagnosis, Treatment and Cases in Psychiatric Medicine
When diagnosing psychiatric conditions doctors must consider that the symptoms present
themselves differently from disorders affecting other parts of the body. The procedures for
diagnosis of such conditions include personality or cognitive tests as well as traditional
radiographic imaging and Functional Magnetic Resonance Images (fMRIs). We will also be
exploring the diverse range of treatment options for psychiatric illnesses, from
psychotherapy and anti-psychotic drugs to deep brain stimulation and electroconvulsive
therapy. Turning to look at specific mental disorders, we will explore the symptoms and
mechanisms for schizophrenia as well as more unusual forms of psychosis. Students will
then have the chance to work in groups to work out the diagnosis for psychiatric case
studies and recommend treatment options for these patients.
15.30 – 16.30: Ethical discussion on Psychiatry
Psychiatry has a long history of unethical practices in which behaviour that seemed
‘abnormal’ at the time was characterised by society as a psychiatric disorder. In this
session, students will look at the ethical considerations in practicing psychiatric medicine
and the ways in which psychiatrists must be particularly careful in the diagnosis and care
of their patients.