SCHOOL OF 2012-2013 - St. George's University

disorders, such as substance abuse, domestic violence,
and child abuse are discussed with reference to the
physician’s role and responsibility, in terms of detection
and intervention.
An additional theme of the course relates to the importance
of preventive medicine. To develop this concept, students
participate in lectures and group exercises in biostatistics,
epidemiology, and health systems. Within a small group
setting, students apply the tools of biostatistics and
epidemiology to selected public health problems, with
an emphasis on the goal of reading the medical literature
critically. How behavior, environment, and politics influence
health in different societies is also considered—an
international comparison of the health systems of several
countries is provided and factors underlying existing
disparities in health care are explored. Current issues of
health care financing and delivery are discussed, along
with the important changes in insurance systems, cost
containment, and different types of medical practice.
Finally, the fundamental concepts of law that relate to the
medical profession are covered in this course. The concerns
of society in the legislative, judicial, and administrative
regulation of medical practice are emphasized. An
overview is provided of the current and probable future
expansion of society’s role in the regulation of medical
practice of medicine. The basic principles of malpractice
are discussed, in addition to topics such as informed
consent, medical ethics, and confidentiality. The course
surveys the history of medical ethics and compares the
major perspectives on such issues as the conflicts between
different types of benefits to patients, the duties of a
physician, patient autonomy, termination of pregnancy,
end-of-life decisions, social ethics, and rationing of
services. This module within the course comprises the third
component of the “Medicine in Society” course series.
This section of the course comprises of part three of the
“Medicine in Society” course series.
Biochemistry and Genetics
Sharmila Upadhya, MBBS, MD, DNB, Chair
BCHM 550
Medical Biochemistry
The Medical Biochemistry course teaches the science of
biochemistry in a clinical and physiological context. The
course is planned to provide students with a working
knowledge of the biochemical basis of disease processes
for understanding the subsequent courses in the medical
curriculum. The course has about 80 didactic lectures and
seven small group sessions. The first half of the course
provides a background for understanding acid-base
relations, structure and function of macromolecules, the
role of enzymes, and introduction to metabolism and
genetics. The mechanisms of biochemical reactions
with attention being given to their roles in disease are
also discussed. In this half of the term, metabolism of
carbohydrates and their clinical correlation is also discussed.
There is emphasis on the key enzymes and regulatory
steps in metabolic pathways, which are important in
understanding metabolism in different physiological and
pathological situations. In the second half of the term,
lipid and nitrogen metabolism are discussed. This half of
the term is dominated by integrative and clinical subjects.
The biochemical roles of the major organ systems and an
overview of the metabolic interplay between organs are
highlighted. Principles of energy balance, as well as the
role of vitamins and minerals in maintaining good health
are introduced. The biochemical aspects of coagulation,
jaundice, porphyrias, diabetes, obesity, inherited diseases
and under-nutrition are presented. An introduction to
genomics and the use of molecular genetics in diagnostic
medicine is also included to ensure that students have
an understanding of the basic concepts and techniques
of molecular biology, to be able to participate in the
genetic-based medicine of the new millennium. Horizontal
integration with Anatomy and Histology is attempted by the
use of integrative case-based lectures. Interactive audience
response clicker systems are used in most of the lectures.
Students will also participate in eight small group
discussions, which are based on a clinical case facilitated
by clinical tutors. The biochemical aspects of the clinical
scenarios are extensively discussed in these sessions.
BCHM 590
Medical Genetics and Genomics
This course reviews basic genetics and its application to
the study of inherited disorders. It begins with a study
of the chromosomes and the disorders that result from
their aberrations. Exploration of Mendelian and polygenic
inheritance follows, illustrated by representatives of the
major heritable disorders of man. There is coverage
of molecular and clinical genetics, including prenatal
School of Medicine
Course Descriptions
School of Medicine Catalog 2013–2014 | 59