Physiology is the study of processes and function or organs and organ systems in a living creature. To me, it was the first inkling of the how and why of medicine. I suddenly was able to see that renal physiology, for example, would have real clinical application. It is not difficult to recognize the importance of the lungs and respiratory system to the human body and to medicine. Cardiac and circulatory physiology consume the attention of large sectors of the medical profession and the public at large as well. Even the importance of the much maligned bowel earns a position of obvious importance to the study of medicine. The added feature, relevance, was a welcome change from the esoteric and technical information presented in the first semester.
An added bonus was that much of the course was coordinated with the material from Cell and Tissue biology, so there was a great deal of overlap and reinforcement. Learning which, paradoxically, often is neglected was served well.
last updated 9/18/95
The Mature Medical Student
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cwpowell@thechildrensclinic.net