OVERVIEW

Nephrology focuses on the study, prevention, and treatment of kidney diseases. Chronic kidney disease, as well as acute kidney injury, are increasingly common clinical conditions that require particular attention to nutritional aspects. In this context, the dietitian plays a key role: nutritional management of patients with kidney disease is a fundamental part of treatment, with an impact on both disease progression and the patient’s quality of life.

The nephrology course aims to provide the physiological and clinical foundations needed to understand kidney function, the main renal pathologies, and the rationale for dietary interventions at different stages of the disease.

We hope this course will offer not only a valuable learning opportunity, but also a moment of reflection on the importance of integrated collaboration between dietitians and nephrologists.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

To understand the main nephrological diseases and the mechanisms of renal damage.
To know how to perform nutritional assessment, intervention, and monitoring for patients with chronic renal failure at all stages of the disease (both conservative and replacement therapy).

TEACHING METHODS

Plenary lectures in the classroom (20 hours of lectures and professional activities in the ward and/or outpatient clinic).

Professional internship in the ward and/or outpatient clinic.

The lecture hours are distributed between the clinical aspects of medical competence and the dietary-nutritional aspects concerning the nephropathic patient.

Any Student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to liase and arrange the specific teaching methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Anatomy and physiology of the kidney, clinical signs and laboratory tests of nephropathies, acute and chronic renal failure, nephritic and nephrotic syndrome, acute and chronic tubulointerstitial nephropathies, oligo-asymptomatic urinary abnormalities, kidney stones, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, nutritional assessment and dietary therapy in nephropathic patients in the conservative phase, on dialysis, and post-kidney transplant.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

An oral examination covering the topics included in the course syllabus.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Learning is assessed exclusively through a final examination aimed at verifying the student’s actual achievement of the expected learning outcomes.

In order to pass the exam and obtain a grade of at least 18/30, the student must demonstrate the ability to evaluate the clinical picture and laboratory findings, assess the nutritional status in renal pathology, and plan appropriate nutritional care for the nephrological patient.

The final grade, expressed out of thirty, takes into account the student’s ability to address topics in a transversal and critical manner, as well as accuracy, clarity, conciseness, fluency of expression, and mastery of the subject matter.