Presented By: Joseph Sepe, University of Minnesota Medical School
Co-Authors: Alexa Lauinger, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Purpose 
Traditional pre-clerkship medical education consists of several blocks of classes, including problem-based learning sessions and anatomy dedicated to a single system of the human body. After completing one block, students transition to a new organ system. Common concerns with this approach is the separation of organ systems that are more interdependent than this curricular model implies. This project demonstrates the benefits of an integrative, multi-organ system approach to teaching and learning clinical physiology and pathology, especially as it relates to long-term treatments and risk factors in ischemic heart and ischemic brain diseases. 

Methods 
A four-week course was created focussing on neurocardiology and the heart-brain axis. During this time, students completed a thorough literature review relating to the pathways that connect the heart and brain, including animal and clinical studies. Following the course, students presented their findings to faculty and other students. 

Results 
This elective course gives students the opportunity to further explore the relationship between different systems in the body and how the treatment of one pathology can influence another. Students applied these pathways in the heart-brain axis to propose new treatment regimens for ischemic heart and brain diseases. This more complete approach to medicine will improve overall understanding of pathologies and patient care in the future. 

Conclusion 
A curriculum that expands past the traditional organ block system can help improve student understanding and transition to a more holistic-based care system. Improved understanding of these interactions will impact post-incident treatment for heart and brain pathologies in the future and promote innovative medical solutions. Due to the future impacts, this multi-system understanding of physiology and pathology is essential for medical education.