Problem Based Learning
edicsProblem based learning (PBL) is a popular method of learning, currently used by most health professional courses in the UK.
The aim of PBL is for you to read through a complex and broad series of information, to identify areas of interest and areas you would like to explore further, in order to further your knowledge of specific topics, through self-directed learning.
The questions our mentors have provided offer ideas of topics to explore and are written in three streams for aspiring medics, dentists and veterinarians; focus on all three or simply what interests you!
Renal
THE Dental PBL Case
- What is renal impairment and what is chronic renal failure?
- How can chronic renal failure affect the oral cavity (mouth)?
- Name some treatments that are used to treat some of these oral manifestations?
- What are the main dental considerations for managing a patient with renal failure?
- A patient has severe renal impairment and requires pain relief following an extraction.
- How might severe renal impairment affect medications prescribed by dental practitioners? (hint: think about how drugs are metabolised and excreted)
- Why might paracetamol be a more appropriate pain relief medication than ibuprofen (NSAID)?
THE Medic PBL Case
At the hospital, Jared has a flexible cystoscopy, followed by a CT scan of his kidneys, ureters and bladder. The cystoscopy does not show anything concerning, but the CT scan shows a sizeable mass in Jared’s right kidney that is 6cm in diameter. Jared is diagnosed with a renal cell carcinoma. He is surprised, as he had not lost any weight recently or felt particularly unwell save for feeling a bit more tired than usual. Following a further scan to stage the tumour, which does not show evidence of metastasis, Jared is admitted for a nephrectomy (removal of the kidney).
While recovering on the surgical ward in hospital, Jared starts feeling very ill, and the doctors notice that he has hardly passed any urine recently. They take some blood tests, which show high levels of urea and creatinine. Jared is diagnosed as having an acute kidney injury (AKI). Following successful fluid resuscitation, he fully recuperates, and Jared is able to be discharged home, cancer free.
- What are the different functions of the kidney?
- What does a urine dip show?
- What is the ‘2 week wait’ pathway?
- If there is blood in the urine, what are the different places you could be bleeding from? Give an example of what could be causing each.
- What is the difference between the stage and grade of a cancer? (And why do we care?)
- What is an acute kidney injury, and how do you classify them?
- What are the different causes of an AKI?
- What is the importance of the urea and creatinine levels?
- Why do you think Jared got an AKI?
- Challenge: with the functions of the kidney in mind, suggest why Jared may have been feeling tired recently.
THE Vet PBL Case
Meloxicam (trade name Loxicom or Metacam) is a very commonly prescribed veterinary drug. The data sheet for this medicine states, “Avoid use in any dehydrated, hypovolaemic or hypotensive animal as there is potential risk of renal toxicity.
Case 2:
When animals are put onto NSAIDs, we recommend routine blood monitoring of kidney parameters every 6-12 months. One of these blood parameters is Creatinine.
Case 3:
In a 2014 study, it was found 32% of cats over the age of 15 years old were diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) (Marino et al., 2014).
- What is this drug commonly prescribed for?
- What class of drug is Meloxicam?
- Why does this class of drug cause adverse effects on the kidneys?
Case 2:
- What is creatinine?
- How does creatinine measurement correlate to kidney damage?
Case 3:
- Compare CKD with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
- When staging CKD, we use the IRIS Staging system, how many stages are there?
- One of the blood parameters used in the IRIS Staging system is ‘SDMA’, what is this and why is it particularly beneficial?
Transfer to Medicine Routes
A guide to transfer routes into medicine from a related undergraduate degree. The transfer can occur in some universities at some time between the first and third year (or fourth year if taking a sandwich course), but it can also occur at the point of completion and graduating from the original degree.
TARGETING THE GATSBY BENCHMARKS (2022-2023)
BENCHMARK ONE A stable careers programme, inspiring careers and enterprise activities, improving motivation, attendance and attainment. Medic Mentor provides step-by-step guidance for aspiring students through our Awards programme, Virtual work experience , and...
Medical, Dental, Veterinary Options For BTEC Students
It is the start of another academic year, another cycle of UCAS applications with teachers and careers leaders supporting their medical, dental, and veterinary students apply to university! A frequent question I get asked is about BTEC requirements for these careers, so I wanted to prepare a one stop shop for all the information, so your BTEC students can be well informed of the requirements!