Course overview
Development of the skills from the previous courses is facilitated by exposure of the students to real patients in a variety of settings (including hospitals and primary care). This form of learning enables students to progress their skills under supervision, so that they develop competence in performing both systemic and focused histories, systemic and focused physical examinations and as well as advancing clinical reasoning skills. By being placed in an immersive environment, students will gain experience and understanding of the workings of hospital and community-based systems, enhancing capabilities to learn in a clinical setting. Situated learning in the clinical environment is supported by a variety of teaching modes, relating to essential knowledge and skills needed for success in clinical training. The course will integrate concepts from the Domains of Science and Scholarship, Clinical Practice, Health & Society and Professionalism & Leadership, and include applied pharmacology and prescribing, medical imaging, patient safety, the national healthcare system, clinical handover, procedural skills, population health and screening and cultural competence. Concepts and issues are delivered via blended learning with a mix of on-line and face to face sessions, including lectures, small group discussions, practical sessions, simulations and interactive group sessions. Students will consider one global health challenge in detail and discuss best practice strategies to address it as well as how these strategies might translate to other healthcare challenges.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of Community, General Practice and Hospital healthcare environments, resources, people roles, processes and activities, relevant for provision of high quality and safe health care, and recognise the direct relationship to patient experience and learning.
- Demonstrate professional skills that enhance learning and patient care in a clinical environment, when working as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Conduct a medical interview with real patients in both hospital and community settings, using a structured logical sequence and a patient centred approach.
- Demonstrate competence in the major system examinations, and simple procedures (e.g. cannulation, venepuncture), including the ability to detect and explain common pathophysiological processes.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate investigation and management of common conditions.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the patient journey, including the diagnosis, investigation and management by interprofessional health care teams, in a variety of encounters in different healthcare settings, including community and hospitals.
- Apply and adhere to ethical, legal and regulatory requirements and communication principles in line with “Good Medical Practice: A Code of Conduct for Doctors in Australia”.
- Demonstrate the capacity to evaluate and identify personal learning needs and strategies for achieving objective clinical competency requirements for oneself and others.
- Describe the impact of health economic policies and practices on the conduct of medical practice.
- Demonstrate a developing capacity to explain the pathophysiological implications of complex multiple-organ system, chronic and co-morbid conditions.
- Analyse important global health challenges and identify examples of best practice solutions.
- Describe the features of the Aboriginal Community-Controlled health sector and health service provisions for Indigenous peoples in addressing health inequities.
- Describe the principles and practice of leadership in health care and its relationship to patient and community advocacy and Quality and Safety.
- Demonstrate a systematic approach to the assessment of a patient suspected of clinical deterioration in a variety of settings.
- Explain how population health outcomes and the performance of the Australian Health System are measured and evaluated.
- Demonstrate the ability to present clinically relevant information to a variety of audiences, including professional, patient and community settings, in a range of formats.
- Apply and integrate relevant knowledge and skills from previous courses within the Bachelor of Medical Studies with knowledge obtained within the Transition to Clinical Studies course.
- Examine the principles of digital health in healthcare, including its applications, challenges and future integration into the workplace.
- Describe key principles and strategies for creating psychologically safe workplaces, including relevant local legislation and methods for resolving peer conflicts.