Section Details
Title of Clinical Placement Endocrinology and Diabetes
Placement Overview Endocrinology and diabetes is part of the specialities attachment with formal bedside teaching sessions and outpatient clinic attendance. Consultant delivered lectures covering all aspects of endocrinology and diabetes are also incorporated into the Thursday/Friday PM lecture programme. In addition to formal teaching sessions, students will meet patients with diabetes in all clinical placements across their undergraduate training and should be able to reflect on and understand the impact of the presenting illness on diabetes management and vice versa.
Level of Students Year 3
Placement Duration N/A
Placement Learning Outcomes 1. Describe the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, adrenocortical and pituitary dysfunction
  1. Outline the typical presentation of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, their diagnostic criteria and management
  2. Explain the complications of diabetes and describe strategies to reduce their incidence and impact
  3. Recognise and manage emergencies in diabetes (diabetic ketoacidosis and hypoglycaemia)
  4. Describe symptoms and signs associated with over and underproduction of pituitary, thyroid and adrenocortical hormones
  5. Differentiate primary and secondary endocrine disorders in particular hypothyroidism and adrenocortical insufficiency (Addison’s disease)
  6. Understand and recall the emergency management of Addisonian crisis
  7. Discuss causes of thyroid enlargement and available treatment
  8. Describe the aetiology of hypertension and in particular endocrine hypertension | | Specific Learning Outcomes | 1. Perform – a clinical history of endocrine disorders including assessment of diabetes control and complications, examination to assess thyroid status and diabetic foot disease, perform an insulin prescription
  9. Interpret – screening tests for endocrine disorders, biochemistry in diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis, electrolyte derangement in particular those of sodium and calcium inbalance
  10. Exhibit professionalism
  11. Recognise how to manage diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycaemia, steroid replacement, Addisonian crisis, hypertension. | | General Objectives | | | | | | Student Responsibilities | Identify patients with diabetes on ward and perform supervised insulin prescription. Attendance at formal bedside teaching and online lecture sessions. | | Expected Attendance | | | Teaching Opportunities | Daily ward round, insulin prescribing ward rounds with diabetes specialist nurses, diabetes clinics, endocrine clinics, online lectures | | Required Clinical Skills | Insulin prescription | | Assessment & Feedback Methods | Mid-placement review for improvement and final evaluation completion. | | MyProgress Requirements | Attendance at diabetes clinic, insulin prescription, bedside teaching on patient with diabetes | | Learning Resources | Suggested reading materials and online resources. | | Case Presentations (if required) | Case presentations not formally required but students are welcome to submit a case report completed on the QUB case template to School of Medicine for consideration of the D.A.D Montgomery prize. Prize awarded for best submitted case report. | | Workplace Assessments (if required) | N/A | | Supervision Structure | Assignment of supervisor and role of supervisor. |