Course overview
Students build their knowledge and skills base in Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine 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 both in-patient and out-patient settings, including hospital wards and rehabilitation clinics, with teams working in the relevant disciplines. Placements (typically 8 weeks surgery; 6 weeks orthopaedics and rheumatology; 2 weeks introduction to scholarship, and domain teaching) allow students to build collegial relationships with teams of health care professionals and to observe and participate in a range of clinical activities including operating theatres, recovery wards and specialised out-patient clinics. Throughout the course students will participate in teaching sessions and engage with resources that cover topics in general surgery, orthopaedics, rheumatology and pain management (acute, chronic and post-operative). Students participate in a variety of formats including online learning, simulation, work integrated learning and workshops. Assessment will comprise a mix of written assignments, oral presentations, clinical placement assessments, multiple choice question test and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the impact of pathological, environmental and psychosocial processes on surgery and musculoskeletal medicine presentations.
- Demonstrate skills in patient-centred history taking, physical examination and mental state assessment in the context of surgery and musculoskeletal medicine.
- Formulate differential diagnoses for individual patients in the context of surgery and musculoskeletal medicine.
- Explain the value, strengths and limitations of key investigations for patients, including the appropriate sequence, timing and application of results to confirm or refute diagnostic hypotheses in the context of patients in surgery and musculoskeletal medicine.
- Demonstrate knowledge of evidence-based treatments and patient management skills, and the use of screening and risk assessments for important and commonly seen conditions in surgery and musculoskeletal medicine.
- Demonstrate safe prescribing skills for a limited range of health conditions in patients, in surgery, orthopaedics and rheumatology, and in relation to acute, chronic and post-operative pain management for patients.
- Perform simple therapeutic interventions and procedures within the scope of practice that are relevant relevant to surgery and musculoskeletal medicine.
- Present clear and concise written and oral clinical case presentations in a variety of contexts.
- Display ethical and professional behaviours including integrity, compassion, self-awareness, empathy, discretion and respect for all in interactions with patients, relatives, colleagues and staff.
- Describe/demonstrate a systems approach to improving quality and safety in healthcare in the context of surgery and musculoskeletal medicine.
- Apply health advocacy skills to a healthcare issue relevant to patients and communities in the context of surgery and musculoskeletal medicine.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical dimensions of medical practice presented by biotechnology and digital innovation in healthcare in the context of surgery and musculoskeletal medicine.
- Communicate effectively with patients, their families and carers and other healthcare professionals regarding the options and implications of ethical issues related to patient care.
- Demonstrate a beginning understanding of the roles Research, Audit and Quality, Medical Education and Innovation and Entrepreneurship can play in Medical Scholarship.