Course Director
Kristen Critelli, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics
Kristen.critelli@chp.edu
Course Director
Lama Farchoukh Farhat, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pathology
farhatl@upmc.edu
Course Description
This course covers the normal function and pathophysiology of the several organs that comprise the gastrointestinal tract.
Course Objectives
- Identify the five major organs that constitute the gastrointestinal tract and their innervation, vascular supply, and sequence of activation during normal digestion.
- Describe the combination of physical, cellular and chemical events necessary for normal digestion and the physiologic regulation that coordinates these processes.
- Explain the structure and function of the enteric nervous system and which cellular mechanisms are targeted by pharmacologic agents that act in this system.
- Explain how neural and hormonal factors interact to regulate digestion.
- Describe the role of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas in metabolic homeostasis.
- Describe the caharacterisistics and clinical presentations of common gastrointestinal diseases.
- List standard diagnostic methods used for common gastrointestinal diseases.
- Describe standard treatment options for common gastrointestinal diseases.
- Differentiate between normal GI functions in nutritions and some specific nutrional challenges associated with common gastrointestinal disease states.
Educational Methods
- Case-based learning
- Patient presentations
- Small group workshops
- Team based learning
- Independent learning (pre-recorded lectures, web-based modules)
- Review Sessions
- Weekly assessments (Formative, Summative)
Assessment
Assessment for this course is based on a cumulative, graded Summative exam.
Requests for excused absences should be submitted via Elentra. Unexcused absences may result in grading penalties as outlined in the Policy on Absence and Attendance.