Course program
The Medical Area Clinical Training (TPVES) aims to provide students with supervised clinical experience in the hospital and outpatient settings of Internal Medicine and related disciplines, promoting the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical and professional skills.
The programme includes direct patient care activities, clinical reasoning exercises, and participation in multidisciplinary teams. Students will progressively develop autonomy in clinical practice under tutor supervision.
Contents and Clinical Areas
The clinical training covers the following thematic and clinical areas:
General Internal Medicine
Clinical approach to the patient with complex and multisystem diseases.
Management of acute and chronic conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, COPD, heart failure).
Principles of hospital admission, diagnostic work-up, and discharge planning.
Cardiology and Vascular Medicine
Assessment and management of chest pain, dyspnea, syncope, arrhythmias.
Recognition and monitoring of acute coronary syndromes and heart failure.
Interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECG) and basic echocardiographic findings.
Respiratory Diseases
Evaluation of patients with respiratory symptoms: cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis.
Diagnosis and management of pneumonia, asthma, COPD, and respiratory failure.
Use and interpretation of oximetry, arterial blood gases, and spirometry.
Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases
Diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus and acute metabolic emergencies.
Recognition of thyroid and adrenal disorders.
Nutritional and lifestyle management in endocrine diseases.
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Approach to abdominal pain, jaundice, gastrointestinal bleeding, and altered liver function tests.
Principles of nutrition, hydration, and hepatic failure management.
Nephrology and Fluid-Electrolyte Disorders
Assessment of renal function, urine output, and fluid balance.
Recognition and management of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.
Indications for dialysis and monitoring of electrolyte disturbances.
Infectious Diseases
Recognition and management of sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
Principles of antimicrobial therapy and infection control.
Prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Hematology and Oncology
Recognition of anemia, coagulation disorders, and leukopenia.
Approach to oncologic patients: diagnosis, complications, and palliative care principles.
Emergency and Critical Care (in the medical setting)
Initial evaluation and stabilization of patients with acute medical emergencies.
Basic and advanced life support (BLS, ALS) and management of shock, respiratory distress, and acute metabolic crises.
Learning Activities
Participation in ward rounds and case discussions.
Supervised patient interviews, physical examinations, and chart reviews.
Clinical data interpretation (ECG, laboratory results, imaging reports).
Observation and participation in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Compilation of clinical records and discharge summaries under supervision.
Attendance at seminars, clinical conferences, and multidisciplinary meetings.
Expected Outcomes
At the end of the training period, the student should be able to:
Conduct a structured clinical assessment and problem-oriented evaluation.
Integrate clinical findings with laboratory and imaging data for diagnostic reasoning.
Participate in decision-making processes and develop initial clinical autonomy.
Demonstrate professional behavior, empathy, and teamwork skills in all settings.
Prerequisites
To participate effectively in the clinical training and professional practice (TPVES) in the medical area, students are expected to have acquired the following prerequisites:
Foundational knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and general pathology.
Understanding of the basic mechanisms of disease, including inflammation, infection, and hemodynamic and metabolic alterations.
Basic knowledge of pharmacology, with particular reference to the main drug classes used in internal medicine.
Familiarity with the principles of clinical reasoning, medical history taking, and physical examination.
Competence in measuring vital signs and performing fundamental clinical procedures (e.g., venipuncture, ECG recording).
Awareness of ethical principles, patient safety, and professional responsibility in clinical practice.
Basic communication skills to interact appropriately with patients, caregivers, and members of the healthcare team.
These prerequisites ensure that students can integrate theoretical knowledge and practical skills during supervised clinical experience, applying safe and evidence-based medical practice.
Books
Rugarli medicina interna sistematica - EdizioniEdra
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 21st edition
Frequency
Mandatory
Exam mode
The assessment of the Medical Area TPVES aims to verify the progressive acquisition of clinical, professional, and relational competences through direct observation, tutor feedback, and structured evaluation tools.
Evaluation focuses on both knowledge application and professional behavior in real clinical settings, according to the Dublin Descriptors and the national standards for clinical training.
Assessment Methods and Tools
Direct observation and supervision
Tutors and clinical preceptors observe the student during patient care activities, evaluating clinical reasoning, technical skills, and professional conduct.
Continuous formative feedback is provided throughout the training period.
Structured clinical assessment (Mini-CEX, DOPS, CbD)
Short, focused evaluations of clinical encounters, procedures, or case discussions, using validated tools:
Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX) – assessment of history taking, physical exam, and communication;
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) – assessment of clinical procedures (e.g., venipuncture, ECG);
Case-Based Discussion (CbD) – evaluation of reasoning and management of specific cases.
Portfolio or Logbook review
Each student maintains a clinical logbook documenting patients seen, procedures performed, and reflections on learning experiences.
Tutors review and validate the logbook to confirm competence progression.
Final evaluation interview
Conducted at the end of the rotation to assess the student’s ability to integrate theoretical knowledge and clinical experience.
Evaluation Criteria
Students are assessed based on the following dimensions:
Clinical competence: accuracy of history and examination, diagnostic reasoning, interpretation of clinical data;
Technical skills: execution of basic procedures and adherence to safety standards;
Professionalism: responsibility, ethics, empathy, respect for patients and colleagues;
Communication skills: clarity, empathy, and teamwork;
Critical thinking and self-assessment: ability to reflect on errors, seek feedback, and plan improvement.
Outcome and Grading
The overall judgment is expressed as “Passed/Not Passed”, based on the achievement of minimum standards in all areas of competence.
The final evaluation is recorded in the student’s clinical portfolio, validated by the clinical tutor and the academic coordinator.
Exceptional performance may be noted as “with distinction”, according to faculty criteria.
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 Medical Area Clinical Training (TPVES) takes place in accredited hospital wards and outpatient clinics belonging to the Department of Internal Medicine and its subspecialties (Cardiology, Respiratory Medicine, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, Hematology, and Emergency Medicine).
The training is carried out under the supervision of clinical tutors and academic coordinators, ensuring gradual acquisition of clinical autonomy and responsibility.
Organization and Duration
The TPVES is organized as rotations through different medical units, allowing students to experience the full spectrum of internal medicine practice.
Each rotation includes structured learning activities, clinical duties, and tutor-guided sessions.
The total duration corresponds to the number of CFU (ECTS credits) assigned to the medical area training, distributed across the academic year according to the curriculum plan.
Students are required to complete a minimum number of clinical hours (as specified by the course regulations) to be admitted to the final evaluation.
Daily Clinical Activities
During the clinical rotation, students are expected to:
Attend ward rounds and actively participate in patient management discussions;
Perform clinical history taking and physical examination under supervision;
Contribute to diagnostic and therapeutic planning;
Observe and assist in diagnostic procedures (ECG, blood sampling, imaging, etc.);
Participate in emergency management simulations or real cases under tutor supervision;
Complete and update the clinical logbook documenting cases, procedures, and reflections.
Students are encouraged to maintain a professional attitude at all times, respecting ethical standards, patient confidentiality, and hospital regulations.
Teaching and Supervision
Each student is assigned to a clinical tutor (MD specialist) responsible for guidance, supervision, and formative feedback.
Regular tutorial meetings are organized to discuss clinical cases, verify learning objectives, and address difficulties encountered during training.
Seminars, bedside teaching, and interdisciplinary sessions complement clinical exposure.
Attendance and Participation
Attendance is mandatory for all clinical activities.
Absences must be justified and compensated in agreement with the tutor and academic coordinator.
Active participation and professional behavior are essential components of the final evaluation.
Documentation and Evaluation
Students must maintain a clinical portfolio/logbook, validated by the tutor at the end of each rotation.
The final evaluation is based on continuous assessment, direct observation, and the achievement of specific learning outcomes.
Successful completion of the TPVES grants the corresponding credits (CFU/ECTS) required for progression in the medical curriculum.