Course overview
Students build their knowledge and skills base in Adult Medicine, Cancer Medicine, Palliative Care and Psychiatry through experiential learning opportunities and organised teaching sessions. To experience a variety of care paradigms and a range of patient presentations students undertake placements in in-patient and out-patient settings, including hospital wards and clinics, with teams working in the relevant disciplines. Placements (6 weeks Adult Medicine; 6 weeks Cancer, Palliative Care and Specialty Medicine; 6 weeks Psychiatry) allow students to build collegial relationships with teams of health care professionals and to participate in a range of clinical activities. Throughout the course students will participate in supporting teaching sessions and engage with resources that cover topics in adult medicine, cancer medicine, palliative care, mental health and psychiatry. Students participate in a variety of formats including online learning, simulation, work integrated learning and workshops.
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the impact of pathological, environmental and psychosocial processes on adult medical, mental health, cancer and palliative care presentations.
- Demonstrate skills in history taking, physical examination and mental state assessment in the context of medical, mental health, cancer and palliative care patients.
- Formulate differential diagnoses for patients in the context of medical, mental health, cancer and palliative care presentations.
- Explain the value, strengths and limitations of key investigations, including the appropriate sequence, timing and application of results to confirm or refute diagnostic hypotheses in the context of medical, mental health, cancer and palliative care patients.
- Demonstrate knowledge of evidence-based patient management and the use of screening and risk assessments for important and commonly seen conditions in the context of medical, mental health, cancer and palliative care settings.
- Demonstrate safe prescribing skills for a limited range of conditions in the context of medical, mental health, cancer and palliative care patients.
- Perform simple therapeutic interventions and procedures within the scope of practice that are relevant to the management of medical, mental health, cancer or palliative care patients.
- Present clear and concise written and oral clinical case presentations in a variety of contexts.
- Describe legislation relevant to capacity assessment, substitute decision making, end of life and mental health.
- Display professional attitudes and behaviour in interactions with patients, relatives, colleagues and staff.
- Communicate effectively with patients their families and carers and other healthcare professionals including the options and implications of ethical issues related to patient care.
- Describe the legal responsibilities of health professionals in accepting a duty of care to patients and colleagues and implementing a human rights-based approach to health.
- Identify opportunities and demonstrate a proactive approach to facilitating effective near-peer appraising and feedback.