Internal Medicine: Diabetes, Nutrition, Metabolic Diseases, and Systemic Rheumatology

The Diabetes, Nutrition and Rheumatology Discipline was founded in 1973, alongside the Diabetes, Nutrition and Rheumatology Clinic within the Timis County Emergency Hospital in Timişoara. The first Head of Discipline was Dr. Gheorghe S. Băcanu (1973-1992), followed by Prof. Dr. Viorel Şerban (1992-2011). Starting with 2011, the Head of the Department and of the Clinic has been Prof. Dr. Romulus Timar.

Within the Discipline, there is scientific and teaching activity in the field of Internal Medicine, the main focus being that of Metabolic Disease and Rheumatology. Presently, there are students from the Romanian, English and French General Medicine programs studying the subject of Diabetes, Nutrition, Metabolic Diseases and Systemic Rheumatology, the course materials are permanently updated, reviewed, the interactive aspect being of utmost importance. Knowledge gained during these courses is implemented during the practical sessions. The students also have access to optional courses such as Diet Therapy, Healthy Eating Principles, Healthy lifestyle principles and other such subjects.

From 2009, within the same clinic students from the Nutrition and Dietetics Program (from the first to the third year) have begun studying subjects such as Basic Nutrition Principles, Nutrition in pregnancy and lactation, Artificial Nutrition, Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders, The nutrition of athletes, as well as Diet therapy (in several pathologies). The members of the discipline are also involved in other study programs, such as Nursing in General Medicine and Physical Therapy, teaching notions regarding nutrition, diet therapy and metabolic diseases, as well as in the Master’s Program, especially in the Clinical and Community Nutrition Master’s program. Another important contribution is in the Prevention and Recovery in Cardio-pulmonary disease Master’s.  

Postgraduate courses for resident doctors in the field of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Disease are also coordinated by these personnel. There are approximately 25 resident doctors in this field, alongside others that have a curriculum that includes this discipline. In order to ensure their continuous education, case presentations and theoretical courses are taught, as to provide the foundation in managing various clinical scenarios.

Scientific research represents a crucial part of the discipline’s activity, the results being published in international peer-reviewed journals, in the form of thousands of in-extenso articles and abstracts presented at several national and international congresses. Diabetes Mellitus, as well as the other metabolic diseases offer a vast array of research directions, so that many are being explored in collaboration with other departments within the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, as well as other universities. Other research activity conducted within the discipline is that of students preparing their thesis, their doctoral thesis, or their dissertation papers. Alongside articles, the collective has also elaborated over 50 books and manuals in this field of expertise, as well as courses for students and residents.