Table 1 Student responses evaluating the interdisciplinary case study of septic shock

1. What are the main points you took away from this exercise?

  A. Themes

   1. Understanding role of physiology in disease & clinical medicine

   2. Integrating physiology across organ systems (cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal)

   3. Learning to develop physiology-guided management/treatment plans

   4. Learning how to approach and think about patient presentation, including:

      a. Interpreting physical examination findings and lab values

      b. Formulating a differential diagnosis

      c. Working up a patient to confirm a diagnosis

   5. Highlighting topics in physiology to review before the wards (e.g., areas of weakness or importance)

  B. Physiology Concepts

   1. Frank-Starling relationship & volume status (underfilling versus overfilling)

   2. General overview of physiology

   3. Acid–base physiology

   4. Ventilation-perfusion mismatch

   5. Shock & hypotension

   6. Renal failure

2. Has this exercise changed your perspective concerning the importance of applying physiology in clinical medicine? If so, how?

Increased appreciation for role of physiology in clinical medicine

3. How useful do you believe this exercise is in preparing you for working on the medicine wards?

Useful/very useful