The course "Nephrology" is mandatory for study and is one of the most important sections of internal diseases. This discipline is included in the senior years of study per school curriculum of the IHSM. In previous years of study, students took courses in propaedeutic therapy, pathological physiology, pathological anatomy, pharmacology, propaedeutic therapy, the basics of medical communication and deontology. Therefore, students have sufficient basic knowledge to study the particular pathology of internal diseases.
Kidney disease is one of the common causes of morbidity, mortality and disability at the working age. Thus, timely diagnosis of kidney disease and the definition of adequate treatment is of great socio-economic importance. As part of this course, students gain knowledge and practical skills in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the most common, major kidney diseases - Acute and chronic glomerulonephritis (AGN, CGN), nephrotic syndrome (NS), chronic pyelonephritis, acute and chronic renal failure (ARF, Chronic renal failure). Knowledge of the stages of chronic renal failure will determine the tactics of treatment. Students will determine the indications for hemodialysis in acute and chronic renal failure and identify indications for kidney transplantation and postoperative management of such patients.
Knowledge of international guidelines and criteria allows for timely diagnosis of chronic kidney disease and also to conduct adequate monitoring of the effectiveness of treatment and prevention of kidney diseases. Particular attention will be paid to the problem of nephrotoxic effects of drugs. The nephrotoxic effects of various drugs are one of the most important problems of modern clinical medicine. The rational treatment of kidney diseases, knowledge of the nephrotoxic effects of antibiotics and other drugs are a very important factor in the prevention of renal toxic lesions. It depends on the professional competence of the student and then the doctor. Substitution therapy for the terminal stage of chronic renal failure is a complex medical and social problem. General practitioners should know the indications and contraindications for hemodialysis and kidney transplantation, as well as to be able to monitor the condition of patients after kidney transplantation and promptly refer the patient to a specialist nephrologist.
As part of the course of nephrology, good knowledge of systemic diseases of the connective tissue, allergic reactions, diabetes mellitus, hypertension is required, since with these diseases secondary damage to the kidneys occurs. Thus, the course "nephrology" makes it possible to consolidate the knowledge gained in other disciplines. (Integrative knowledge). Teaching students how to analyze the knowledge gained and apply it in solving the problems of a patient with kidney diseases helps to develop students' clinical thinking, which is a much-needed skill in the doctor’s practical work.