MED211 Clinical Sciences 2 (64)

Foundational learning for medicine is provided in this yearlong subject that integrates the biomedical sciences through the use of authentic clinical scenarios. Small group problem-based learning, bedside teaching with patients and procedural skills teaching scaffolded by lectures, tutorials and practicals cover each of the body systems in turn, so that students are well prepared for clinical learning. Students will also learn about the human context of health and disease, medical professionalism, the quality and safety of healthcare, evidence-based practice, research and clinical skills through community visits, hospital based-sessions and workshops. The Professional Portfolio component within this subject will provide students in the Doctor of Medicine (MD) course with the means to monitor and support their acquisition of professional competencies in medicine. Supported by teaching sessions, learning resources and Professional Advisors, students will collate and review evidence of their learning, such as clinical assessments and case studies, preparatory work and outcomes from research and scholarly projects. By identifying and addressing their learning and professional development needs, students will create their own personalised learning journey as the basis for life-long learning in medicine. The Professional Portfolio will also prepare students for the portfolios used extensively in post graduate specialty training in medicine.

Availability

Year-long Period 1 (31)
On Campus
Orange Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: MED211. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Rural Medicine

Enrolment Restrictions

This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine.

Prerequisites

MED110

Subject Relationships

med210 MED210 multisession subject replaced with MED211 yearlong subject

Incompatible Subjects

MED210

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to describe the complex and adaptive biology of all body systems;
  • be able to elicit, respect and consider the perspectives of others in group learning activities;
  • be able to elicit a focused patient medical history and perform a clinical examination;
  • be able to analyse the social and cultural aspects of health, illness and risk factors for ill-health in communities and the roles of health agencies in health care;
  • be able to display and reflect on appropriate professional attitudes and values in tutorials and lectures;
  • be able to participate and encourage group discussion, focus and progress in group learning activities;
  • be able to describe personal, physical, learning and emotional self-needs and be aware of the pathways available for assistance;
  • be able to formulate an answerable research question;
  • be able to demonstrate evidence of progress against learning milestones by compiling a portfolio;
  • be able to evaluate academic achievement to identify strengths and areas requiring improvement; and
  • be able to create and monitor progress against a personalised learning plan.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Communicating with patients, carers, families and healthcare professionals;
  • Practical skills in history taking, physical examination and procedural skills;
  • Diagnostic and clinical problem formulation;
  • Determinants of health and illness in communities and populations;
  • Understanding health needs of diverse communities, the social and cultural context of health, illness and healthcare;
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health;
  • Disease prevention and health promotion;
  • Medical professionalism, professional standards and codes of conduct, legal obligations of students and medical practitioners;
  • Identifying and addressing own learning and personal needs;
  • Quality and safety of health care;
  • Self-evaluation and critical reflection on learning;
  • Demonstration of an understanding of the body as a complex, adaptive biological system;
  • Application of the biomedical, social and psychological sciences to clinical and health problems;
  • Information skills and academic literacy; and
  • Evidence-based practice and research skills.

Workplace Learning

This subject contains a 27 days Compulsory Workplace Learning component.

Over sessions 1 (30) and 2 (60), students will be placed in community service providers for a total of 8 hours over the year. These activities are labeled as Medicine in Context placements in the curriculum.

During session 2 (60), students will be placed in General Practice, Aboriginal Medical Services and rural hospitals for a total of 2 weeks. These activities are labeled Rural Generalist Placements in the curriculum. These placements will be located in regional, rural or remote areas across NSW.

In addition, students will attend structured tutorial sessions in hospital clinical settings amounting to approximately 106 hours over the year and labeled Introduction to Clinical Medicine in the curriculum.

The total volume of WPL amounts to 184 hours per year, or 27 days.

Students attending compulsory workplace learning placements are responsible for all associated travel, accommodation and required resources.

Special Resources

Students attending compulsory workplace learning placements are responsible for all associated travel, accommodation and required resources.

Students are required to obtain and provide all necessary documentation to be verified by NSW ClinConnect. This verification is a requirement of the NSW Health Department for all students enrolled in medical programs. If a student fails to produce this documentation to ClinConnect they will not be able to attend hospital and health service teaching sessions, and placements. Attendance is a mandatory requirement of the course to ensure that professional competencies are met. Failure to attend will result in a Fail grade for the Unit. Documents that must be provided to ClinConnect are:

1. National Police Certificate
2. Adult Health Immunisation Schedule
3. Code of Conduct Agreement

Students must also meet the inherent requirements of the course as outlined in the Western Sydney University Inherent Requirements for Medicine: (https://science.csu.edu.au/schools/medicine/students/requirements/Inherent-requirements.pdf)

Inherent requirements are personal capabilities which are essential for achieving the learning outcomes of the Course or Unit in a way that will preserve the integrity of the Universitys teaching, learning and assessment standards and the accreditation requirements for the course. The Disability Education Standard, Section 3.4 (3) states: In assessing whether an adjustment to the Course, Unit of the Course or program in which the student is enrolled, or proposes to be enrolled, is reasonable, the provider is entitled to maintain the academic requirements of the Course or program, and other requirements or components that are inherent in or essential to its nature. Note: In providing for students with disabilities, a provider may continue to ensure the integrity of its Courses or programs and assessment requirements and processes, so that those on whom it confers an award can present themselves as having the appropriate knowledge, experience and expertise implicit in the holding of that particular award."

Essential Equipment
1. Stethoscope
2. Pencil torch
3. White laboratory coat
4. Watch (with a second hand or display)
5. Closed in shoes

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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