Table 4.
Physiology and pathophysiology topics ranked as moderate priority (3 – 3.99) by academics (ranking: 1 = lowest priority to 5 = highest priority)
| Topic | Mean/SD | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Normal physiology and pathophysiology of: | ||
| Musculoskeletal system | ||
| Joint structure and function | 3.53 ± 0.61 | 2-4 |
| Muscle contraction | 3.52 ± 0.60 | 2-4 |
| Bone tissue – formation and growth | 3.46 ± 0.66 | 2-4 |
| Fracture and fracture repair | 3.45 ± 0.61 | 2-4 |
| Major infectious musculoskeletal diseases | 3.33 ± 0.66 | 2-4 |
| Locomotion | 3.30 ± 0.70 | 2-4 |
| Integument | ||
| Major infections and diseases of integumentary system | 3.63 ± 0.60 | 2-4 |
| Wounds, burns and healing | 3.50 ± 0.80 | 2-4 |
| Formation and growth | 3.21 ± 0.59 | 2-4 |
| Cardiovascular system | ||
| Vessels: heart, arteries, veins and lymph | 3.88 ± 0.35 | 3-4 |
| Peripheral resistance | 3.83 ± 0.39 | 3-4 |
| Cardiac output, Stroke volume | 3.82 ± 0.40 | 3-4 |
| Blood pressure and BP measurement | 3.67 ± 0.81 | 2-4 |
| Lymph nodes and lymph organs | 3.55 ± 0.67 | 2-4 |
| Major infections and diseases of cardiac system integumentary system | 3.53 ± 0.74 | 2-4 |
| Baroreceptor reflex | 3.50 ± 0.52 | 3-4 |
| Cardiac markers and disease | 3.45 ± 0.82 | 2-4 |
| Frank Starling Law of the Heart | 3.41 ± 0.51 | 2-4 |
| Foetal circulation changes | 3.18 ± 0.66 | 2-4 |
| Respiratory system | ||
| Respiratory control | 3.91 ± 0.30 | 3-4 |
| Breathing mechanics | 3.83 ± 0.39 | 3-4 |
| Blood gas transport | 3.78 ± 0.44 | 3-4 |
| Haemoglobin – oxyhaemoglobin curve | 3.73 ± 0.46 | 3-4 |
| Major infections and diseases of respiratory system | 3.69 ± 0.63 | 2-4 |
| COPD and oxygen therapy | 3.64 ± 0.51 | 3-4 |
| Respiratory volumes - spirometry | 3.60 ± 0.60 | 2-4 |
| Gastro-intestinal system | ||
| Liver and gallbladder | 3.87 ± 0.35 | 3-4 |
| Pancreas | 3.85 ± 0.38 | 3-4 |
| Role of hormones | 3.65 ± 0.70 | 2-4 |
| Digestion, absorption and metabolism | 3.58 ± 0.52 | 3-4 |
| Major infections and gastrointestinal diseases | 3.57 ± 0.65 | 2-4 |
| Major nutrients – food pyramid: proteins, carbohydrates and lipids | 3.53 ± 0.63 | 2-4 |
| Glucose metabolism and ATP production | 3.47 ± 0.74 | 2-4 |
| Enzymes | 3.47 ± 0.62 | 2-4 |
| Phases of digestion | 3.39 ± 0.70 | 2-4 |
| Salivary glands | 3.22 ± 0.74 | 2-4 |
| Neurological system | ||
| ANS – parasympathetic and sympathetic | 3.90 ± 0.32 | 3-4 |
| PNS – reflexes, sensory receptors | 3.77 ± 0.44 | 3-4 |
| CNS – brain and spinal cord | 3.73 ± 0.47 | 3-4 |
| Synapses and neuromuscular function | 3.72 ± 0.58 | 2-4 |
| Major infections and neurological diseases system | 3.72 ± 0.58 | 2-4 |
| CSF production and flow | 3.59 ± 0.59 | 2-4 |
| Pain | 3.57 ± 0.85 | 2-4 |
| Membrane potentials, action potentials neurotransmitters | 3.56 ± 0.63 | 2-4 |
| Fight and flight response | 3.55 ± 0.52 | 3-4 |
| Integrative properties of neurons | 3.40 ± 0.60 | 2-4 |
| Neuroglia | 3.38 ± 0.75 | 2-4 |
| Special senses: taste, vision, hearing, balance, smell | 3.38 ± 0.74 | 2-4 |
| Reproductive system | ||
| Male and female | 3.74 ± 0.56 | 2-4 |
| Endocrine control | 3.72 ± 0.46 | 3-4 |
| Major infections/diseases of the reproductive system | 3.50 ± 0.62 | 2-4 |
| Pregnancy | 3.42 ± 0.77 | 2-4 |
| Contraception | 3.38 ± 0.74 | 2-4 |
| Embryonic and foetal development | 3.30 ± 0.70 | 2-4 |
| Parturition and foetal changes at birth | 3.19 ± 0.68 | 2-4 |
| Fertilization, implantation | 3.13 ± 0.82 | 2-4 |
| Fertility | 3.05 ± 0.67 | 2-4 |
| Renal system | ||
| Normal and abnormal constituents of urine | 3.91 ± 0.30 | 3-4 |
| Acidosis and alkalosis | 3.82 ± 0.40 | 3-4 |
| Renal dialysis | 3.61 ± 0.58 | 2-4 |
| Major infections and diseases of renal system the renal system | 3.59 ± 0.71 | 2-4 |
| Endocrine system | ||
| Homeostasis | 3.86 ± 0.38 | 3-4 |
| Hormone control, neuroendocrine axis | 3.83 ± 0.39 | 3-4 |
| Biology of cancer | 3.59 ± 0.62 | 2-4 |
| Mechanisms of hormone release | 3.53 ± 0.51 | 3-4 |
| Immune system | ||
| Non-specific and specific body defenses | 3.92 ± 0.29 | 3-4 |
| Active and passive immunity | 3.83 ± 0.39 | 3-4 |
| Infection and biological response | 3.70 ± 0.68 | 2-4 |
| Autoimmune disease | 3.60 ± 0.60 | 2-4 |
| Humoral and cell-mediated immunity | 3.56 ± 0.63 | 2-4 |
| Immunodeficiency | 3.55 ± 0.51 | 3-4 |
| Hypersensitivity | 3.50 ± 0.51 | 3-4 |
| Antigens | 3.31 ± 0.60 | 2-4 |
| Tissue transplantation | 3.00 ± 0.74 | 2-4 |
| Genetics | ||
| Human genetic disorders, principles of screening | 3.50 ± 0.61 | 2-4 |
| Coding from DNA to protein production | 3.33 ± 0.77 | 2-4 |
| Basic patterns of human inheritance | 3.40 ± 0.60 | 2-4 |
| DNA genes and chromosome structure | 3.29 ± 0.64 | 2-4 |
| Mitosis and meiosis – development of ova and sperm | 3.05 ± 0.67 | 2-4 |