Learning Outcomes:
The learning objectives of the Endocrine Diseases Module should enable you to:
1. To gain an understanding of the endocrine system and the basic biology of hormones, their signalling pathways and their biological actions
2. To appreciate the importance of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis in the regulation of our hormonal systems
3. To gain an understanding of the anatomy/physiology of the normal functioning endocrine organs including the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands as well as the ovaries, testes, prostate and pancreas
4. To comprehend and describe the underlying pathologies of endocrine diseases including hyper/hypofunction of the various glands
5. To appreciate the complex functions of the ovaries and testes
6. To describe and distinguish the current treatment strategies and pharmacological agents used to treat and control pituitary & adrenal diseases, thyroid hormone disorders, parathyroid and calcium disorders, diabetes, reproductive function and diseases, and sexually transmitted diseases.
7. To understand and describe the mechanisms of action of these drugs.
8. To gain a comprehensive understanding as to the pathogenesis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and current therapeutic strategies used to treat these disorders
9. To gain insight into the patient’s experience living with diabetes and the impact of various insulin formulations on quality of life.
10. To understand the basic microbiology and associated pathology underlying sexually transmitted infections including syphilis, gonorrhoea, herpes and chlamydia.
11. To engage with continuous professional development platform to help support your learning in the subject of endocrinology (continuous assessment via the BMJ tutorials).
Indicative Module Content:
The following topics are covered within this module:
1. Principles of endocrinology
2. Anatomy of pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, ovary & uterus
3. The basic physiology and pathology of the hormonal systems (adrenal, parathyroid, reproductive and pancreas glands); symptoms and causes of hypo and hyperfunction of the various endocrine glands.
4. The treatment strategies / major drugs used (and their mechanisms of action) to regulate function or alleviate or cure the major dysfunctions affecting the endocrine and reproductive systems
5. The basic microbiology and associated pathology underlying sexually transmitted infections including syphilis, gonorrhoea, herpes and chlamydia
6. The aetiology and treatment of obesity and diabetes is covered in depth in this module