Table 4 Physiology and pathophysiology topics ranked as moderate priority (3 – 3.99) by academics (ranking: 1 = lowest priority to 5 = highest priority)

Normal physiology and pathophysiology of:

Musculoskeletal system

Joint structure and function

3.53 ± 0.61

2-4

Muscle contraction

3.52 ± 0.60

2-4

Bone tissue – formation and growth

3.46 ± 0.66

2-4

Fracture and fracture repair

3.45 ± 0.61

2-4

Major infectious musculoskeletal diseases

3.33 ± 0.66

2-4

Locomotion

3.30 ± 0.70

2-4

Integument

Major infections and diseases of integumentary system

3.63 ± 0.60

2-4

Wounds, burns and healing

3.50 ± 0.80

2-4

Formation and growth

3.21 ± 0.59

2-4

Cardiovascular system

Vessels: heart, arteries, veins and lymph

3.88 ± 0.35

3-4

Peripheral resistance

3.83 ± 0.39

3-4

Cardiac output, Stroke volume

3.82 ± 0.40

3-4

Blood pressure and BP measurement

3.67 ± 0.81

2-4

Lymph nodes and lymph organs

3.55 ± 0.67

2-4

Major infections and diseases of cardiac system integumentary system

3.53 ± 0.74

2-4

Baroreceptor reflex

3.50 ± 0.52

3-4

Cardiac markers and disease

3.45 ± 0.82

2-4

Frank Starling Law of the Heart

3.41 ± 0.51

2-4

Foetal circulation changes

3.18 ± 0.66

2-4

Respiratory system

Respiratory control

3.91 ± 0.30

3-4

Breathing mechanics

3.83 ± 0.39

3-4

Blood gas transport

3.78 ± 0.44

3-4

Haemoglobin – oxyhaemoglobin curve

3.73 ± 0.46

3-4

Major infections and diseases of respiratory system

3.69 ± 0.63

2-4

COPD and oxygen therapy

3.64 ± 0.51

3-4

Respiratory volumes - spirometry

3.60 ± 0.60

2-4

Gastro-intestinal system

Liver and gallbladder

3.87 ± 0.35

3-4

Pancreas

3.85 ± 0.38

3-4

Role of hormones

3.65 ± 0.70

2-4

Digestion, absorption and metabolism

3.58 ± 0.52

3-4

Major infections and gastrointestinal diseases

3.57 ± 0.65

2-4

Major nutrients – food pyramid: proteins, carbohydrates and lipids

3.53 ± 0.63

2-4

Glucose metabolism and ATP production

3.47 ± 0.74

2-4

Enzymes

3.47 ± 0.62

2-4

Phases of digestion

3.39 ± 0.70

2-4

Salivary glands

3.22 ± 0.74

2-4

Neurological system

ANS – parasympathetic and sympathetic

3.90 ± 0.32

3-4

PNS – reflexes, sensory receptors

3.77 ± 0.44

3-4

CNS – brain and spinal cord

3.73 ± 0.47

3-4

Synapses and neuromuscular function

3.72 ± 0.58

2-4

Major infections and neurological diseases system

3.72 ± 0.58

2-4

CSF production and flow

3.59 ± 0.59

2-4

Pain

3.57 ± 0.85

2-4

Membrane potentials, action potentials neurotransmitters

3.56 ± 0.63

2-4

Fight and flight response

3.55 ± 0.52

3-4

Integrative properties of neurons

3.40 ± 0.60

2-4

Neuroglia

3.38 ± 0.75

2-4

Special senses: taste, vision, hearing, balance, smell

3.38 ± 0.74

2-4

Reproductive system

Male and female

3.74 ± 0.56

2-4

Endocrine control

3.72 ± 0.46

3-4

Major infections/diseases of the reproductive system

3.50 ± 0.62

2-4

Pregnancy

3.42 ± 0.77

2-4

Contraception

3.38 ± 0.74

2-4

Embryonic and foetal development

3.30 ± 0.70

2-4

Parturition and foetal changes at birth

3.19 ± 0.68

2-4

Fertilization, implantation

3.13 ± 0.82

2-4

Fertility

3.05 ± 0.67

2-4

Renal system

Normal and abnormal constituents of urine

3.91 ± 0.30

3-4

Acidosis and alkalosis

3.82 ± 0.40

3-4

Renal dialysis

3.61 ± 0.58

2-4

Major infections and diseases of renal system the renal system

3.59 ± 0.71

2-4

Endocrine system

Homeostasis

3.86 ± 0.38

3-4

Hormone control, neuroendocrine axis

3.83 ± 0.39

3-4

Biology of cancer

3.59 ± 0.62

2-4

Mechanisms of hormone release

3.53 ± 0.51

3-4

Immune system

Non-specific and specific body defenses

3.92 ± 0.29

3-4

Active and passive immunity

3.83 ± 0.39

3-4

Infection and biological response

3.70 ± 0.68

2-4

Autoimmune disease

3.60 ± 0.60

2-4

Humoral and cell-mediated immunity

3.56 ± 0.63

2-4

Immunodeficiency

3.55 ± 0.51

3-4

Hypersensitivity

3.50 ± 0.51

3-4

Antigens

3.31 ± 0.60

2-4

Tissue transplantation

3.00 ± 0.74

2-4

Genetics

Human genetic disorders, principles of screening

3.50 ± 0.61

2-4

Coding from DNA to protein production

3.33 ± 0.77

2-4

Basic patterns of human inheritance

3.40 ± 0.60

2-4

DNA genes and chromosome structure

3.29 ± 0.64

2-4

Mitosis and meiosis – development of ova and sperm

3.05 ± 0.67

2-4