D.M. COURSE IN NEPHROLOGY

D.M. COURSE IN NEPHROLOGY

The aim of the course is to develop human resources and personnel in
the field of Nephrology who shall
i) provide the health care to the patients needing renal care
ii) teach and train future undergraduate and postgraduate medical students and junior
doctors in Nephrology in Medical Colleges, Institutions and other Hospitals.
iii) carry out and guide research to improve the practice of the art and science of
nephrology
iv) have management capabilities to manage personnel and budgets etc. to make
health more cost-effective.
v) organise health teams to provide care during natural or man-made calamities.

Course content
Since the students are trained with the aim of practicing as independent
nephrologists, this course content will be merely a guideline. They have
to manage all types of cases and situations and seek and provide
consultation. The emphasis shall therefore be more on the practical
management of the problem of the individual cases and the community
within the available resources.
(Applied basic sciences knowledge relevant to the field of nephrology.
Investigative techniques, selection and interpretation of results
Pathogenesis of renal diseases & Renal histopathology.
Diseases of the urinary tract (glomerular diseases, urinary tract infection,
tubulointerstitial
Diseases, inherited diseases, toxic nephropathies, systemic diseases with renal
involvement,
Renal stone disease, urinary tract obstruction, Vascular diseases of kidney,
hypertension,
neoplasia etc)
Renal failure (diagnosis & medical management )
Principles and practice of dialysis, fluid, electrolyte & acid-base balance
Renal transplantation
Recent advances in nephrology
Biostatistics & clinical epidemiology, research methodology)
Preventive nephrology.
Skills : 1) Haemodialysis, Peritoneal dialysis, CAPD, Continuous renal replacement
therapy,
Plasmapharesis, Vascular access, Native and graft kidney biopsies.
2)Communication
3)Education/training
4)Self directed learning
5)Research
SECTION - III :
Teaching / Learning Methods And Activities
Throughout the course of training the emphasis shall be on acquiring knowledge,
skill and attitudes through first hand experiences as far as possible.
The emphasis will be on self learning rather than on didactic lectures.
The entire period shall be ‘ in service' training programme based on the concept of ‘
learn as you work' principle.
The teaching learning activities would consist of -
Participating in rounds - patient management
1) Presentation of cases to the faculty with discussion
2) Preparation and presentation of P.G. lectures on allotted topics
3) Journal clubs
4) Clinicopathological exercise by rotation.
However to reinforce the learning the following methods shall be used
to acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes.
1. Lectures prepared and presented by students under supervision.
2. Seminars, symposis, panel discussion of suitable topics,
moderated by teachers.
3. Journal clubs moderated by teachers
4. Clinicopathogical conferences.
5. Medical audit/fatality case discussion ,meetings.
6. Pedagogic training programmes (intramural & extramural )
7. Inter-departmental meetings/discussions of interesting cases
8. Preparation and presentation of a dissertation
9. Patient care work in OPD, wards and dialysis unit.
The students shall be provided facilities to manage cases of higher and greater
complexity by allowing them graded responsibility as the course progresses.Each P.G
would have an opportunity to present at least 2 P.G. lectures per year and 8-10 journal
clubs per year in addition to about 20-25 cases during the clinical meetings. They
shall also be allowed to perform procedures under supervision and /or delegated
authority depending on the experience and proficiency gained. The Heads of units
and other consultants and guides shall be in-charge of the supervision and delegation
of authority and responsibility to work.
10. Attend and participate in conference, workshops, field visits, camps, technical
exchange programmes etc., and share knowledge and experience with others.
11) Candidates should be involved in departmental research activities. It is desirable to
have at least two research papers in peer reviewed journals.
Dissertation:
A subject for dissertation would be allotted to the P.G. within the first 6 months after
joining. The emphasis on dissertation work would be on review of literature,
maintaining a record of references, preparation of a plan of study, documentation of
aims, planning the methodology, collection, documentation and analysis of data,
comparison of data obtained with others in literature, drawing conclusions and writing
a summary. The subject of dissertation may be prospective or retrospective. Analysis
of less than 25 cases would not be permitted unless it is a rare disease. The
dissertation topics would not be discussed in a department meeting prior to completion
of 6 months and protocol of study is to be approved by the Department faculty. 4
copies of completed dissertation after appropriate certifications by the guide and coguide
should be submitted at the end of the 2½ years (There will therefore by 2
complete years after submission of protocol and the final dissertation)