Internal medicine - patient history and narrative medicine - physical examination - clinical reasoning and judgement

Course objectives

General Objectives of the integrated course To learn the methods for a correct communication with the patient based on observation, listening and dialogue. To evaluate the compliance of the patient who applies the healthcare structure and claims full recognition of the right health and quality of life. To learn the standards for a correct patient interview. To be able to perform a complete medical examination. To know the dimension of a disease phenomenon, its profile, its physiognomy, its physiopathological aspects, in the way and in the form in which it really presents to healthcare operators by means of a deductive clinical approach based on the analysis of the problems, the individualization of the priorities and the sifter of the diagnostic hypotheses. To know the physical and instrumental examinations and the laboratory tests with the main objective of a correct methodological and diagnostic itinerary for the diseases of: Hematopoietic apparatus, Respiratory apparatus, Cardiovascular apparatus, Digestive apparatus, Genitourinary apparatus, Endocrine apparatus, Muscular and Skeletal apparatus, Nervous system. Specific Objectives of the integrated course Knowledge and understanding: this course aims at providing the fundamentals of phisical and instrumental semiology and the ability to interpret the results of instrumental exams. Applying knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course, students will be able to apply their knowledge to specific diagnostic itineraries. Making judgement: students will be able to independently execute steps towards a diagnosis and critically interpret the results of medical exams. Communication skills: this course will provide students with the means to effectively communicate to patients and their families so as to establish a relationship of mutual trust and respect. Learning skill: this course will encourage and enable students to draw from different disciplines in order to better understand the material covered.

Channel 1
SPERANZA DONATELLA RUBATTU Lecturers' profile
CARMINE SAVOIA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
Principles of doctor-patient communication, verbal and non-verbal communication, effective presentation of clinical studies for optimal patient management, and the importance of language and words in disease management. Topics of medical and surgical semiotics and methodology: Clinical reasoning: The doctor's procedure in clinical reasoning (observation and identification of problems, hypothetical-deductive and analytical-inductive reasoning, differential diagnosis, physiopathological reconstruction of the case, prognosis, and therapeutic choices). Collection of anamnesis: general information, family anamnesis (including notions of heredity), physiological personal anamnesis (including notions of work-related pathologies), pathological anamnesis (remote, recent, pharmacological, and toxicological). Medical literacy: sleep – thirst – hunger – diuresis – urination – bowel movements – vomiting – hiccups – sneezing – coughing – dyspnea – sighing – yawning – palpitations and heartbeats – libido and sexual activity – asthenia – anxiety and anguish – dizziness – itching. Pain, headache, simulation, perception of illness. General physical examination: general somatic conformation, face and decubitus, skin appendages, skin pigmentation and jaundice, blooding, and cyanosis, standing and walking, psyche and sensorium, body temperature, degree of sexual differentiation, nutritional status, hydration – electrolyte and acid-base balance, edema, dermatoses of internal interest and infectious exanthemas, lymph node system. Semiotics of the osteo-articular system: physical, instrumental, and laboratory semiotics of the skeleton, physical, radiological, and functional semiotics of the joints. Semiotics of the muscular system: tropism – tone – muscular efficiency.
Prerequisites
Elements of anatomy and physiology of organs and systems
Books
- Metodologia Clinica di Nuti- Caniggia, Edizioni Minerva Medica Torino 2005 • Moderni aspetti di Semeiotica Medica di N. Dioguardi – C.P.G.Sanna, Società Editrice Universo • Internal Medicine Harrison 17° ed. Mc Graw Hill • Semeiotica medica nell’adulto e nell’anziano – Metodologia clinica ed esplorazione morfofunzionale. V Ed. Fradà & Fradà, Piccin Padova 2014 GIORGIO SESTI. MANUALE DI SEMEIOTICA MEDICA • Il metodo clinico passo dopo passo. EDRA Edizioni.
Frequency
Mandatory
Exam mode
The exam will consist of an oral test, during which questions will be asked to assess the knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in class. The student has to demonstrate that he has acquired a knowledge of the topics proposed, with critical ability.
Bibliography
Scientific articles related to topics included in the program will be recommended as a study tool for integrative purposes to frontal lessons and adopted text.
Lesson mode
The teaching is divided into formal teaching activities (lectures), interactive teaching activities (clinical internships and clinical rotations), and elective teaching activities. The lectures aim to provide theoretical tools and are structured according to specific learning objectives. Interactive and elective teaching completes the training by providing thematic insights and clinical and instrumental semiotics tools.
FLAVIA DEL PORTO Lecturers' profile
SEVERINO PERSECHINO Lecturers' profile
PIETRO FRANCIA Lecturers' profile
DAMIANO MAGRI' Lecturers' profile
MARIA BEATRICE MUSUMECI Lecturers' profile
GIORGIO SESTI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Prerequisites
Since this is a first-year course, no specific prior knowledge is required for students to begin the educational activities. They will be able to understand the content and achieve the learning objectives of the course.
Books
GIORGIO SESTI MANUALE DI SEMEIOTICA MEDICA • Il metodo clinico passo dopo passo. EDRA Edizioni
Frequency
Attendance of at least 70% of the scheduled lecture hours is the threshold beyond which the attendance requirement is considered fulfilled.
Exam mode
The assessment will be conducted through a written multiple-choice quiz and an oral exam.
Lesson mode
The teaching will take place through in-person and online lectures.
ROBERTO ALBERTO DE BLASI Lecturers' profile
LAURA TAFARO Lecturers' profile
GIANLUCA ESPOSITO Lecturers' profile
ALLEGRA BATTISTONI Lecturers' profile
MARILIA CARABOTTI Lecturers' profile
ANTONIO MARTOCCHIA Lecturers' profile
Noemi Calabrò Lecturers' profile
MICHELA D'ASCANIO Lecturers' profile
ALESSANDRA PAGLIUCA Lecturers' profile
DANILO MICHELE MALENA Lecturers' profile
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseMedicine and Surgery
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year3rd year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDMED/09
  • CFU3