Individual health is substantially defined by the ability of different body systems to function well. In fact, the body systems do not work in isolation, and the processes taking place within them are interrelated with each other. Considering that it is impossible to study pathophysiology in significant detail during one semester, I expect the course “Pathophysiology for Emergency Medical Services” to be a solid starting point in the research of the given area of knowledge.
First of all, I would like to complete an overview of key pathophysiological mechanisms in all body systems, paying attention to the ones associated with the most common diseases posing the greatest threat to public health. They include heart diseases and stroke, neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, various infections, obesity, diabetes, and others. Secondly, I expect to learn about the links among various pathophysiological processes that take place in different body systems. The given knowledge is essential to understand comorbidity and polymorbidity. Thirdly, since the course explores pathophysiology in the context of emergency medical services, I would like to develop skills in quick recognition of signs of acute health problems. Along with this, I expect to understand how to select appropriate solutions for their alleviation and prevention of health aggravations. For this reason, practical work (namely, analysis of case studies and synthesis of evidence, et cetera) would be of tremendous help.
To sum up, the present course meets my objective of learning about pathophysiological alterations and creating a base for further exploration of the subject. My specific expectations are as follows: the overview of primary pathophysiological mechanisms, the exploration of links among them, and the development of critical thinking skills needed to detect distinct pathophysiological symptoms and choose the best health interventions. By fulfilling them, I will progress in my academic and professional development.