Core Knowledge

A Curriculum Based on Clinical Problems

This is a list of the clinical problems that the qualifying student should be able to
recognise, evaluate and manage. They may be encountered during one or several of the
clinical courses and attachments, where different emphases on diagnosis and
management will be found. Students should take the opportunity to learn about these key
topics in different settings, particularly when studying paediatrics and the health care of
the elderly. For each problem a "problem matrix" will be developed, in which the basic
science, pathophysiology, clinical science and specific knowledge, skills and attitudes
content of teaching and learning are specified, to enable students, teachers and examiners
to share the core requirements for each problem.

A. CLINICAL PRESENTATIONS

001. Chest Pain

002. Circulatory Collapse
003. Acute and Chronic Breathlessness
004. Acute and Chronic Wheezing
005. Haemoptysis
006. Chronic Chough
007. Upper Respiratory Infections (coughs, colds and sore throats)
008. Palpitations
009. Ankle Swelling
010. Acute Abdominal Pain
011. Chronic Abdominal Pain
012. Abdominal Mass / Swelling
013. Hernia / Abdominal Subcutaneous Mass
014. Pelvic Mass
015. Indigestion (dyspepsia)
016. Dysphagia
017. Loss of Appetite (anorexia)
018. Nausea and Vomiting
019. Weight Loss
020. Haematemesis and Melaena
021. Rectal Bleeding
022. Jaundice
023. Diarrhoea
024. Constipation
025. Perianal Pain / Itching / Discharge
026. Rectal and Vaginal Prolapse
027. Faecal Incontinence
028. Sinuses, Fistulae and Stomata
029. Obesity
030. Acute Retention of Urine
031. Urinary Frequency and Urgency
032. Urinary Incontinence
033. Pain on Micturition (dysuria)
034. Acute Anuria
035. Polyuria (polydipsia)
036. Haematuria
037. Testicular Pain
038. Scrotal Swelling
039. Ectopic / Undescended Testes
040. Lump or Swelling on Breast
041. Pain in the Breast
042. Nipple Discharge / Bleeding
043. A Lump / Swelling in the Neck
044. A Lump / Swelling in the Axilla
045. Limb Claudication
046. Limb Gangrene
047. Varicose/ Unsightly Veins
048. Chronic Skin Ulcers
049. Infected Wounds
050. Acute and Chronic Swelling of Limb(s)
051. Acute Poisoning (deliberate and accidental) / Attempted Suicide
052. Substance Abuse / Alcoholism
053. Loss of Libido
054. Impotence
055. Sleep Disorders in Childhood
056. Depression
057. Anxiety
058. Eating Disorders
059. Psychiatric Emergencies
060. Tiredness and Fatigue
061. Acute Headache
062. Chronic Headache
063. Loss of Consciousness
064. Confusion
065. Acute Loss of Function
066. Numbness and Tingling
067. Tremor and Involuntary Movements
068. Progressive Weakness / Immobility
069. Fits and Convulsions
070. Memory Loss
071. Head Injury
072. Chest Injury
073. Abdominal Injury
074. Nose Bleed
075. Painful Ear
076. Discharge Ear
077. Dizziness and Vertigo
078. Hearing Loss
079. Hoarseness and Voice Change
080. Nasal Obstruction
081. Facial Pain
082. Throat Infection
083. Acute Red Eye (with/without pain)
084. Sticky Eye
085. Sudden Loss of Vision
086. Gradual Loss of Vision
087. Visual Disturbances (including diplopia)
088. Eye Trauma (inc. foreign body)
089. Back Pain and Sciatica
090. Neck Pain
091. Musculoskeletal Deformity
092. Acute Joint Pain
093. Chronic Joint Pain
094. Fractures and Limb Trauma
095. Gait Disorders
096. Muscle Weakness and Wasting
097. Nail Disorders
098. Hair Loss
099. Hairiness
100. Pruritus
101. Pigmented Skin Lesions (pigmentary disorders, moles and melanomas)
102. Acute Rashes
103. Chronic Rashes
104. Eczema and Dermatitis
105. Skin Infections
106. Bruising and Purpura
107. Lumps in the Skin (epidermal and dermal)
108. Burns
109. Vaginal Discharge
110. Vaginal Bleeding in Early Pregnancy (before 24 weeks gestation)
111. Vaginal Bleeding in Late Pregnancy (after 24 weeks gestation)
112. Amenorrhoea (inc. menopause)
113. Disorders of Menstruation
114. Dysmenorrhoea and Pelvic Pain
115. Normal Pregnancy
116. Unwanted Pregnancy and Termination of Pregnancy (TOP)
117. Painful Sexual Intercourse (Dyspareunia)
118. Subfertility
119. Contraception
120. Non-accidental Injury (child abuse)
121. Fever
122. Genital Ulcers and Warts
123. Urethral Discharge
124. Failure to Thrive
125. Disorders of Growth
126. Developmental Delay
127. The Dying Patient
128. Bereavement
129. Double Vision
130. Ptosis
131. Unequal Pupils
132. Facial Palsy
133. Photosensitivity
134. Infant Feeding Problems
135. Cancer Pain and Palliation

B. PATIENTS FOUND TO HAVE THESE (SYMPTOMLESS) PROBLEMS

01B. Hyperglycaemia/ Glycosuria

02B. High Blood Pressure (includes pre-eclampsia)
03B. Hyperlipidaemia
04B. Hypercalcaemia
05B. Anaemia (including haemoglobinpathies)
06B. Osteoporosis
07B. Abnormal Cervical Smear
08B. Abnormal Mammogram
09B. Hyperuricaemia
10B. Proteinuria
11B. A Family History of Genetic Disorder