FK-KMK UGM. Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK) UGM held a Guest Lecture by Dr. Robert G. Carroll, Ph.D (East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville USA) in a series of 2023 Inter-medical School Physiology Quiz (IMSPQ) activities on Saturday (29/7) in the Auditorium of FK-KMK UGM.

The Guest Lecture was divided into 2 sessions, both of which invited Dr. Robert G. Carroll, Ph.D as speaker. In the first session, Carroll gave a presentation on “Using ECG to Bridge Physiology and Medical Practice”. An ECG (electrocardiogram) is a medical procedure performed to check heart function, including its electrical activity.

Carroll explained that there are several things that need to be checked in an ECG evaluation. “These things are checking calibration, heart rhythm values, determining heart rate, interval values, the average value of the QRS axis, P wave abnormalities, QRS complex abnormalities, and ST segment and T wave abnormalities,” he added.

In the second session, Carroll focused more on explaining physiology in higher education. According to him, there have been changes in objectives in studying physiology in the past and present. “Physiology in the past studied what science we should study for. Meanwhile, today’s physiology aims to improve one’s competence,” he explained.

There are 5 components of studying physiology in higher education, namely premedical courses, basic science courses, clerkships, internships, and residencies. Each component aims to prepare learning for success in the next component. “For example, premedical courses prepare students for success in basic science courses,” added Carroll.

The college education curriculum on physiology includes at least 3 objectives. First, utilize the knowledge of the structure and function of the healthy human body to understand the molecular, biochemical, and celular mechanisms important to maintaining the body’s homeostasis. Second objective is to apply knowledge of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of disease states and conditions, and the ways in which they affect the function of the body. Last, physiology aims to identify, interpret and apply evidence from scientific studies for problem solving and health care decision-making that is relevant to the care of individuals and populations. “In general, physiology should be able to explain to students why they should study this science,” Carroll said. (Reporter: Nirwana)