Defence Mechanisms of the Body (5 cr)

Objective

Students describe the human defense system, the factors affecting it and reflect its importance in different areas of osteopath’s work.

Microbiology and immunology
Students are able to explain the legislation related to infection control, and organization of infection control work in Finland. They know the mechanism of the most common infectious diseases and pathogens, especially in the skin, mucous membranes and limbs. They describe the functioning of the defense system, especially at the cellular level in the blood and lymph. They know the transmission pathways of pathogens, and are able to describe the disease and symptoms, and know the basics of protection against infections. Students interpret the most common laboratory test.

Pathophysiology
Students are able to explain the origin and development of the most common diseases and the structural changes related to diseases at the cellular and tissue level. They describe the process of healing from the perspective of pathophysiology.

Skin diseases
Students identify the most common skin diseases and their symptoms found in our country. Students recognize the need for further treatment or examination, and are able to refer the patient forward if necessary.

Rheumatic diseases:
Students identify the basic symptoms and examination methods of rheumatic diseases. Students explain the main joint and soft tissue changes associated with autoimmune disorders. Student master the basics of rheumatic disease treatment and understand comprehensive role of the rehabilitation.

Content

Microbiology and immunology:
Legislation related to infection control, and organization of infection control work in Finland
Clinical microbiology as a discipline and its role in the osteopath’s work
Asepsis in the osteopath’s work
Endogenous and exogenous infection pathways of microbes causing infections
Viruses, fungi, yeasts and bacteria, and their role in osteopath’s work
Infectious disease and pathogens, normal flora
Disorders of the normal flora and rebalancing it
Functioning of the defense system in the blood and lymph
Infections in children, the elderly and others in good general health
Bone, muscle and joint infections, autoimmune diseases
Infections of the skin, mucous membranes and limbs
Respiratory infections
Laboratory diagnostics of infections, results and interpretation
Effect of alertness on immune defense, psychoneuroimmunology
The role of the thyroid gland in the body’s defense mechanism
The importance of the microbiome for human health
Epigenetics

Pathophysiology:
The basic model of the pathological process. Key etiological factors of diseases. The course of illness and factors affecting it. Structural changes associated with illness. Illness-related functional disorders of the body. General principles of healing process. Diagnosis of pathological changes and the basics of treatment.

Skin diseases:
Examination of a dermatological patient. Itching and eczema. Urticaria and angioedema. Skin tumors. Bacterial, viral and fungal diseases of the skin. Occupational skin diseases. Leg ulcer. Drug rashes.

Rheumatic diseases:
Student understand the main joint and soft tissue changes associated with autoimmune disorders. Student identify the basic symptoms and examination methods of rheumatic diseases. Student master the basics of rheumatic disease treatment and understand comprehensive role of the rehabilitation.

Materials

Ihotaudit e-kirja /Oppiportti

Teaching methods

Interactive lecture
Guided assignments
practical assignments
Small group tutorial
cooperative learning

Exam schedules

Teachers of the sub-implementations of the course can use assignments and tell more details at the beginning of the course.

Student workload

5 ects x 27h= 135h students work

Further information

The teacher may give additional assignments as a pedagogical solution e.g. to cover for absence.

MATERIALS and assignments created by the teacher are protected under the Copyright law (404/61), and the teacher holds copyright to these creations. Assignments and materials may not be used other than in your own studies. The public distribution of these is only allowed with the permission of the teacher.

In case the student has received a decision for individual support, which can affect the completion of the study unit, the student should be in touch with the responsible teacher of the study unit directly after the ending of the enrolment period.

Evaluation scale

Hyväksytty/Hylätty

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Students use appropriate professional core concepts, and make choices using knowledge base of their profession. Students identify the prerequisites and consequences of their actions.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Students specify the relationship between appropriate professional core concepts, as well as justify their choices using the knowledge base of their profession. Students analyse the prerequisites and consequences of their actions.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Students specify and evaluate the relationships between appropriate professional core concepts, as well as make choices comparing options using their professional knowledge base. Students evaluate the prerequisites and consequences of their actions.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Students use appropriate professional core concepts, and make choices using knowledge base of their profession. Students identify the prerequisites and consequences of their actions.

Assessment methods and criteria

The assignments for the various partial completions of the study course must be returned on time and completed with approval. The assignment can be returned once to be completed.

Qualifications

Basics of human anatomy and physiology, basic skills of osteopathic examination and treatment