Covering the crucial fields of Cardiac & Pulmonary medicine, this course covers the anatomy and physiology of the cardiac and pulmonary systems and utilises this knowledge to learn about the common ways in which it can go wrong. Understanding common presentations and how we investigate these with practical skills, students will then learn how to treat some major conditions and how we can apply preventative medicine to these body systems.
Using our realistic clinical setting the Cardiac and Pulmonary Medicine course covers cardiac and pulmonary anatomy, physiology, disease and management. Practical skills covered on the course include producing an ECG of your own heartbeat, learning CPR and emergency first aid, chest examinations and auscultation and exercise rehabilitation for cardiac patients.
The Cardiac and Pulmonary course runs from 9:30am – 4pm for 5 consecutive days with a 1-hour break for lunch. We teach at a low student to tutor ratio (10:1) meaning that students are supervised and encouraged throughout their course.
Day 1
Morning Session: Cardiac Anatomy
Following introductions to other students and lecturers, students will be given their own scrubs and stethoscopes. They will begin their week with an overview of cardiac anatomy including gross anatomy of the heart, electrical anatomy of the heart and the major blood vessels and anatomical methods the heart uses to pump blood.
Afternoon Session: Auscultation and Electrocardiograms
Students will be taught in the use of their new stethoscopes, how they are put together and their usage. We will then cover the sounds of the heart in detail through the use of the stethoscope, ranging from what a healthy heart sounds like to sounds of specific concern and their use as a diagnostic tool.
Following on from the auscultation session we will move onto one of the other primary methods we use to look at the heart, the electrocardiogram (ECG). Students will be taught the theory of how an ECG works as well as how to read an ECG before moving on to clear signs of concern and their uses in diagnoses. Students will also have the opportunity to conduct their own three lead ECG and print a trace of their heartbeat.
Day 2
Morning Session: Cardiac Disease
During this session we will cover the different types of cardiac disease, their typical root causes and risk factors and how we treat them. After this we will move onto atypical anatomy, unusual presentations and their potential issues as well as what we can do to limit the risks involved with these conditions.
Afternoon Session: Rehab and Benefits of Exercise
After exploring the anatomy and physiology of the heart, students will gain an understanding of how to look after a patient post heart attack including how to put together a care plan and include considerations for individual ability. Following on from this we will look more broadly at what blood pressure is and learn to measure it manually. Students will then explore how exercise benefits the heart and what we can both encourage patients to do (and do ourselves as doctors) to ensure a healthier heart and the potential for a happier, longer life.
Day 3
Morning Session: Pulmonary Anatomy
In this section we will cover specific presentations of common respiratory conditions and their risks, how we can treat them and what to expect. We will then go on to cover the public health aspects of pulmonary health and epidemics of pulmonary disease.
Afternoon Session: Pulmonary Disease
During this session, students will learn how to carry out a basic cardiac and respiratory examination, exploring common abnormalities that may indicate sinister underlying causes in an emergency setting. To expand further on these signs, students will learn the basics of Chest X-rays and common X-ray findings that they might see in ED.
Day 4
Morning Session: Lung function tests and chest examination
Students will learn different types of lung function testing including peak flow and spirometry. They will then be able to practice this on each other, filling in their values and applying it to expected results. Students will learn how to apply this to real-life patients and use the tests as both a diagnostic and treatment response tool. They will then learn how to carry out a basic, focused cardiac examination including what signs may represent some of the more common conditions.
Afternoon Session: Respiratory examination and chest x-rays
During this session, students will learn how to carry out a basic respiratory examination, exploring common abnormalities that may indicate sinister underlying causes in an emergency setting. To expand further on these signs, students will learn the basics of Chest X-rays and common X-ray findings that they might see in ED.
Day 5
Morning Session: CPR and Emergency Response
Students will have the chance to use what they have learned through the week about the heart and lungs to discuss emergency patient care including CPR, trauma response and the fundamentals of patient triage. They will also learn in-depth about the ABCDE assessment and how we use this in practice.
Afternoon Session: Class Debate and Quiz
We will close out the week by splitting the class into two to engage in a debate on some of the more pressing issues facing modern medicine. We will follow this up with a final quiz on all that has been learnt through the week with a prize for the winner!
During this 5-day course, students will learn skills beneficial for any university application including:
The cost of this course is £999
You can reserve your place on this course with a deposit of just £249.75 if you are booking more than 28 days in advance. The remaining balance is due four weeks prior to the course start date
You can also choose to pay for this course in 6 instalments if you are booking more than 26 weeks in advance, or 12 instalments if you are booking more than 54 weeks in advance
Private accommodation is available at a special rate at 'Quest', our partnered accommodation provider.
Students attending courses for 16-19 year olds can select accommodation at the time of booking your course, the confirmation email sent after booking will contain a link for you to pay for your accommodation (at least 28 days prior to course commencement.)
Please note, accommodation is not included in the course fee. Private studio accommodation at Quest is available to BioGrad Education students at a special rate of £90/night.
See our accommodation page for more details
Science Park, Liverpool, L3 5TF
This course lasts for 5 days
9:30am - 4pm
Sorry, we don't have any of these courses planned at the moment in the next academic year.