Course Description

The Pulmonary/Renal/Acid-Base (PRAB) Block is designed to provide instruction in the basic and clinical sciences required for examination and treatment of disorders of the Pulmonary and Renal Systems. This Block provides a comprehensive and in-depth study of these sciences, including normal and abnormal pulmonary physiology, histology and embryology. Also included will be clinical aspects of obstructive, restrictive, interstitial and vascular pulmonary diseases. Normal and abnormal renal physiology, including acid-base balance, will be covered. Common clinical abnormalities of the renal and genitourinary systems and the role of the kidneyin the pathogenesis of hypertension are included. In addition to the above topics, aspects of pharmacology, imaging, public health, psychosocial aspects of illness, ethics, health equity issues and health care transformation will be presented.

Learning Objectives

Educational Program Objectives are a subset of more broadly defined physician competencies, which represent general domains of performance for which the profession and the public hold physicians accountable.

Upon completing the Pulmonary/Renal/Acid-Base (PRAB) Block, students should be able to:

  • Recall and apply core scientific knowledge of normal and abnormal pulmonary, renal and acid-base system functions required by clinicians to provide complete health care.
  • Evaluate and synthesize health related data utilizing problem-solving skills and active learning strategies.
  • Critically interpret clinical tests and identify the appropriate use of testing in the pulmonary, renal and acid-base domains.
  • Effectively communicate with members of the health care team using terminology related to the pulmonary, renal and acid-base systems.
  • Recognize the psychosocial impact of acute and chronic disease on patients and families and the various approaches to supporting patients and their families.
  • Develop and apply medical knowledge principles that facilitate life-long learning and continued professional growth.
  • Demonstrate awareness of and assess information in educational resources regarding issues of diversity, public health, clinical ethics, delivery of health care and biotechnology as they apply to pulmonary, renal and acid-base disorders.
  • Cooperate and collaborate with team members through verbal and non-verbal communication to document, present and discuss information in an organized, accurate, timely, respectful and understandable manner.
  • Show integrity and respect in all interactions with peers and professional colleagues.
  • Analyze, explain and discuss medical knowledge as it applies to effective patient care.
  • Discuss diagnostic procedures, reason deductively and collaborate to arrive at provisional diagnoses during simulated patient care exercises.
  • Document simulated patient data and communicate them effectively and collaboratively with the team.
  • Demonstrate awareness of ethical and social issues and assess information in educational resources during simulated patient exercises.
  • Evaluate the impact of Social Determinants of Health on patient access to care and outcomes and develop approaches to identify and address these issues to ensure whole patient care and best possible outcomes.
  • Identify race, gender, disability, age, or other issues of health inequity in pulmonary and renal related diagnoses and management and identify/evaluate approaches to address bias and improve care.