Postgraduate School of Nephrology

Integrated (i.e., core) training objectives
The trainee must have acquired satisfactory theoretical knowledge and professional competence in the clinical and instrumental diagnosis and treatment, including emergency and urgent conditions, of the most common internal medicine diseases. The trainee must acquire fundamental knowledge of the pathophysiology of various organs and systems, the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to recognize diseases affecting the various body systems, the theoretical and practical knowledge of the main areas of instrumental and laboratory diagnostics related to the aforementioned diseases, and the ability to evaluate the connections and influences of internal medicine and specialists. Therefore, the trainee must be able to recognize the clinical and functional symptoms and signs of diseases affecting various organs and systems, having acquired the fundamental diagnostic, therapeutic, psychological, and ethical knowledge necessary for a comprehensive patient perspective. To this end, the trainee must develop the ability to clinically assess the patient based on the medical history and physical examination; develop critical and analytical diagnostic skills; Become familiar with the main diagnostic procedures and laboratory and instrumental investigations; recognize and be able to address major medical emergencies; familiarize themselves with therapeutic resources to plan their optimal use and recognize their indications and contraindications, as well as the effects of interactions and potential iatrogenic effects; acquire fundamental knowledge of clinical research methodologies and pharmacological trials; and understand the fundamental issues related to prevention, public health, and social medicine. The trainee must have acquired satisfactory theoretical knowledge and professional competence in the recognition and treatment, in emergency situations, of the most common pathologies. Finally, the resident must also have clinical and therapeutic knowledge of the most common pathologies covered by other categories of the class.

Basic Educational Objectives
The resident must acquire in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, molecular biology, pharmacology, and statistics. This knowledge allows for a full understanding of normal kidney function and the pathophysiology of renal diseases, and provides a solid foundation for ongoing training and critical evaluation of research findings.

General Educational Objectives
The resident must acquire the correct statistical approach and the methodological foundations of laboratory, clinical, and therapeutic practice, as well as the ability to continuously update their professional knowledge, including through the use of up-to-date information technology.

Educational Objectives of the School Type
The resident must acquire the knowledge and professional experience necessary to:
(a) prevent, diagnose, and treat hereditary and acquired kidney diseases, including glomerular and tubulointerstitial nephropathies, and urinary tract infections. urinary tract disorders, disorders of water and salt metabolism and acid-base balance, arterial hypertension, acute and chronic renal failure;
(b) perform extracorporeal hemodialysis and related techniques, and peritoneal dialysis;
(c) select patients for kidney transplantation, prevent, diagnose, and treat rejection and complications in transplant recipients;
(d) be able to assess the patient holistically, addressing common internal medicine situations, including emergencies, with a proper diagnostic and therapeutic approach;
(e) acquire the knowledge and experience necessary for a correct diagnostic assessment of urinary tract diseases and surgical complications of kidney transplantation;
(f) be able to prepare vascular access for emergency dialysis, create an arteriovenous fistula, and implant a peritoneal catheter;
(g) learn the principles and procedures necessary for the operation of dialysis equipment.

Mandatory professional development activities to achieve the following educational objectives:
- Clinical work for at least 12 months in a Hemodialysis Center: each resident must provide care to at least 2 patients per shift;
- Clinical work for at least 12 months in a Nephrology department accepting unselected patients: each resident must provide care to at least 100 patients;
- Clinical work in a Nephrology Outpatient Clinic: each resident must perform at least 150 visits;
- Clinical work in a center/outpatient clinic for kidney transplant preparation and follow-up: each resident must perform at least 50 visits;
- Participation in at least 40 active on-call shifts in Nephrology departments with unselected admissions;
- Performance of at least 10 emergency extracorporeal treatments;
- Participation in at least 30 seminars involving examination and discussion of renal histopathological cases;
- placement of at least 5 venous catheters for extracorporeal hemodialysis;
- participation in the creation of at least 5 arteriovenous fistulas;
- participation in the implantation of at least 5 peritoneal catheters.
- treatment of patients in intensive care, having treated at least 20 critically ill patients in intensive care undergoing extracorporeal treatment.

The resident may apply for the diploma after completing the professional development activities.

The resident, as part of the training program, must learn the scientific foundations of the School's structure in order to achieve full maturity and professional competence. This includes adequate ability to interpret scientific innovations and a critical understanding that allows them to consciously manage both care and their own development. This may include participation in meetings, conferences, the production of scientific publications, and periods of attendance at qualified Italian and foreign institutions useful for their training.