Part 1. Approach to Learning Physiology
Prepared By: Reo Paolo M. Uri

Physiology is best learned through a systematic approach by understanding the cellular an macroscopic processes of the body. Rather than memorizing the individual relationships, the students strive to learn the underlying rationale, such as. "The cell membrane allows passage of some molecules and others based on lipid solubility, size of the molecule, concentration gradient, and electrical charge. Because the cell membrane is formed by a lipid bilayer, molecules and those without an electrical charge also transfer more easily. Finally, the concentration gradient 'drives' the molecular transport, with the larger gradient providing a greater 'force".

Part 2. Approach to Disease

Physicians usually tackle clinical situations by taking a history (asking questions), performing a physical examination, obtaining selective laboratory and imaging test, and then formulating a diagnosis. The synthesis of the history, physical examination, and imaging laboratory tests is called the clinical database. After a diagnosis has been reacted, a treatment plan usually is initiated, and the patient is followed for a clinical response. Rational understanding of disease and plans for treatment are best acquired by learning about the normal human processes on a basic science level: similarly, being aware of how disease alters the normal physiological processes is best understood on a basic science level. Physiology also requires the ability to appreciate  the normal working of the human body, where as pathophysiology focuses o how disease or disruption of the normal state effects the same mechanisms. The student should strive to learn the reason a disease manifests as certain symptoms or signs.

Part 3. Aprroaches to Reading

There are six key questions that help stimulate the application of basic science information to the clinical setting:

1. what is likely mechanism for the clinical findings?
2. what is likely cellular response to certain change in environment?
3. what the biochemical findings noted, what clinical processes are expected?
4. given physiologic readings (hemodynamic, pulmonary, etc.). what is the likely disease process?
5. what is the likely cellular mechanisms for the medication effect?
6. what graphic database depict the physiologic principle?

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