Pathophysiology deals with the functional abnormalities, dysfunctions and failures of individual organs and organ systems, the consequent compensatory changes, adaptation mechanisms and changes in regulation. Within specific pathophysiological processes it also analyses the relationship between the functional changes of different organs and organ systems eventually affecting the whole body, pointing out possible adaptation mechanism and therapeutic possibilities. To be able to understand pathophysiology, the students need to have a good grasp of physiology, biochemistry and immunology. The frequent appearance of multiple dysfunctions with aging makes it necessary to include some aspects of gerontology and geriatrics in the curriculum.
Our curriculum is based on concise Hungarian, English, German Textbooks and the latest international literature so that we may present modern theoretical medical information for future physicians, pharmacists and dentists that – we hope – will also prove to be useful in clinical practice. The recently published department notes (“Basic principles of pathophysiology”) edited by Professor Miklós Székely, demonstrations (ECG, spirometry, exercise testing, etc.) organized by the Department and a large number of case histories discussed during the seminars also hope to serve this same purpose. Several credit courses are organized to help a better understanding of pathophysiological background of disease states and their possible clinical aspects.