MEDIC ST 1103B - Medical Professional & Personal Development I Pt 2

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

Through this stream students will develop competency in communication with patients, patients' relatives, peers and other health professionals. Alongside communication competency; students are assisted to develop strategies and skills for self care and for addressing attitudinal, ethical and professional aspects of life as a medical practitioner. Skills in information technology, decision making, information management, analysis of statistics and evidence based medicine are developed. Knowledge of the broader context of health care is encouraged through an understanding of public health, epidemiology and population health issues.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MEDIC ST 1103B
    Course Medical Professional & Personal Development I Pt 2
    Coordinating Unit Medical School Group
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Weekly lectures, CBL sessions & resource sessions
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions Available to MBBS students only
    Course Description Through this stream students will develop competency in communication with patients, patients' relatives, peers and other health professionals. Alongside communication competency; students are assisted to develop strategies and skills for self care and for addressing attitudinal, ethical and professional aspects of life as a medical practitioner. Skills in information technology, decision making, information management, analysis of statistics and evidence based medicine are developed. Knowledge of the broader context of health care is encouraged through an understanding of public health, epidemiology and population health issues.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Tiana Della-Putta

    Course Coordinator: Dr Tiana Della-Putta
    Phone: +61 8 8313 6221
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1.    Professional Communication skills:

    Doctor-Patient Communication:
    •    Develop knowledge and understanding of core communication skills required when interacting with patients;
    •    Demonstrate doctor-patient communication skill competencies appropriate to Year 1;
    •    Knowledge and understanding of the phases and components of the medical interview (also called the patient interview or consultation);
    •    Understand the rationale and importance of different aspects of the medical interview;
    •    Understand what is meant by ‘confidentiality’ in the context of patient care;
    •    Demonstrate capacity to maintain appropriate confidentiality;
    •    Understand what is meant by ‘informed consent’;
    •    Demonstrate capacity to seek ‘informed consent’ appropriate to Year 1;
    •    Understand what is meant by an ethical approach to patient care;
    •    Demonstrate an ethical approach in simulated patient interviews.

    Communication with peers/tutors:
    •    Develop capacity to participate actively and constructively in small groups;
    •    Understand what is meant by peer feedback;
    •    Learn and demonstrate appropriate peer feedback skills.

    2.    Ethical Basis and Social Responsibilities of Medical Practice:

    Medical Ethics Year 1
    •    Learning Objectives focus on understanding the ethical principles and concepts that govern the doctor-patient relationship. See separate Medical Ethics Handbook for details.

    Population Health/Public Health
    •    Understand the importance of epidemiological information (incidence, prevalence, demographics, risk factors) in assessing individual patients’ problems;
    •    Understand some basic principles of public health and preventive medicine;
    •    Understand basic statistical principles to allow informed reading of medical literature.

    3.    Professional/Personal Development for Medical Practice:
    •    Develop capacity to work in teams
    •    Demonstrate capacity for professional behaviour
    •    Development of time/workload management; stress-management and self-care strategies
    •    Develop self-directed learning strategies.

    (In addition there are MPPD case objectives as part of Case Based Learning.)
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. All of the above
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. All of the above
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. All of the above
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. All of the above
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. All of the above
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. All of the above
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. All of the above
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. All of the above
  • Learning Resources
    Recommended Resources
    Recommended Texts

    Lloyd, Margaret & Robert Bor (2009)  Communication Skills for Medicine, Churchill Livingston
    (Please note that many of your tutorial readings will be set from this text.)

    Rogers, W and A Braunack-Mayer (2004)  Practical Ethics for General Practice, Oxford


    Reference texts

    Silverman, Kurtz &Draper (2005)  Skills for Communicating with Patients, Radcliff Publishing

    Kerridge I, M Lowe & J McPhee (2005) Ethics and the Law for the Health Professions, The Federation Press
    Online Learning
    Online research
    Reliable sources of reference journal articles on MPPD related topics are available online through the University Barr Smith Library (BSL) and various search engines.

    Wikipedia can be a useful guide for definitions, but it is generally an unreliable source of medical and technical information. You are recommended instead to search PubMed or Google Scholar for peer reviewed articles and research evidence on topics related to MPPD.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    There are numerous teaching and learning methods used in MPPD with the emphasis on active learning methods.

    Large Group
    lectures, seminars, and workshops

    Small Groups 
    case based learning, discussion, role play with students and simulated patients, brainstorming, patient Interviewing, tutor feedback, peer feedback, journal article analysis, oral presentations, and lectures

    Individual
    self-directed research or study, online communication course, written assignments, and tutorial presentations

    Learning by doing
    Learning is more effective with active strategies such as ‘practice doing’. To be a competent doctor you will need to learn and appropriately use a complex set of skills. You cannot learn these skills by simply reading a book or going to a lecture. You will need repeated practice , constructive feedback and then practice again. Many of the teaching and learning methods used in MPPD will require you to actively participate and actively practice skills. MPPD closely links to activities in case-based learning and in clinical skills.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Attendance at tutorials is compulsory. While lectures are not compulsory, the material presented in a lecture will assist your ability to participate in tutorials and will provide examinable material. The development of time management skills is important for future medical practice. Students are expected to develop study skills and allocate time to self-directed learning. In Years 1-3, the standard total student workload for 24 units is 48 hours a week.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Attendance at tutorials is compulsory. While lectures are not compulsory, the material presented in a lecture will assist your ability to participate in tutorials and will provide examinable material. The development of time management skills is important for future medical practice. Students are expected to develop study skills and allocate time to self-directed learning. In Years 1-3, the standard total student workload for 24 units is 48 hours a week.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Students must meet the requirements set out in the letter of offer. Students will be required to obtain a first aid certificate by the end of semester 1. As a medical student you will be registered with the Medical Board of Australia. All commencing students in Medicine, Dentistry, Oral Health and Nursing will be required to obtain a satisfactory criminal history clearance (CHC). Information on acquiring the clearance is outlined in the letter of offer.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    The predominant learning method for the MBBS Program is small group discovery learning.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Students are advised to read in detail the information in the Year Level Assessment Document - Part A and Part B. Students will be expected to be aware of the contents of these documents and to abide by the requirements as stated. Students should note that requirements for professional behaviour standards are set out in the year level assessment documents. As medical students, you are registered with the Medical Board of Australia. Students are required to maintain the expectations of the professionalism standards and associated behaviours required of the profession.

    Students should note that in addition to integrated exams as set out in the year level assessment documents, there are formative and summative tasks which must be completed.

    Assessment and the assessment methods used for the medical program will be based on the objectives for: Case Based Learning (CBL) cases (supplied after each case), Clinical Skills (supplied in handbook and as posted online on the Bulletin Board), lectures (supplied in lecture material), MPPD (supplied in handbook), Resource sessions (supplied with resource session notes).

    Complete assessment requirements for the MBBS Program are set out in the year level assessment documents distributed at the start of each year.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    There are attendance requirements which must be met. Students should also note that requirements for professional behaviour standards which are set out in the year level assessment documents.
    Assessment Detail
    Complete assessment requirements for the MBBS Program are set out in the year level assessment documents distributed at the start of each year.
    Submission
    Students may be required to submit assessments via Turnitin.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    GS8 (Coursework Grade Scheme)
    Grade Description
    CN Continuing
    FNS Fail No Submission
    NFE No Formal Examination
    F Fail
    NGP Non Graded Pass
    P Pass
    C Credit
    D Distinction
    HD High Distinction
    RP Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme: GS4 Non-graded pass.

    For the purpose of feedback to students a banded result will be provided for each course and examination. This result will not appear on students’ academic transcripts.

    Bands of achievement are:
    A Above expected competency for year level
    B Clearly at expected competency for year level
    C Just reaches expected competency for year level
    D Below expected competency for year level
    E Far below expected competency for year level

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    The MBBS Program has a regular program of evaluation. In addition, student representatives are appointed to MBBS committees and are encouraged to report on issues of importance to students.
  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.