Clinical Sciences, Scholarship and Practice 2A (MEDI2101A)

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate a foundational understanding of the normal human development through life stages, with a particular focus on biomedical concepts of structure and function relevant to control systems, circulation, respiration, energy, excretion, defence, repair, movement, sensation, reproduction, growth, emotion, and behaviour;
2. demonstrate a foundational understanding of human anatomy, histology, physiology, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, genetics, pathology, and pharmacology relevant to the practice of medicine, with a particular focus on the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal, immune, dermatological, musculoskeletal, reproductive, neurological and neuropsychological systems;
3. demonstrate a foundational understanding of the social, behavioural, educational and clinical sciences relevant to the practice of medicine;
4. describe the core concepts and rationale for evidence-based healthcare, including the roles of research and epidemiology in informing healthcare at an individual and population level;
5. demonstrate a foundational understanding of the processes of research including study designs, principles of statistical interpretation and critical appraisal;
6. locate, manage and evaluate appropriate scholarly resources to inform current and lifelong learning, academic writing, and decision-making, whilst maintaining academic integrity in learning processes and submitted work;
7. demonstrate core skills of effective patient-centred communication and teamwork in healthcare settings;
8. demonstrate an understanding of the core principles of cultural competence and the skills for sensitively identifying patients of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin;
9. demonstrate the appropriate, patient-centred gathering of a system based medical history, followed by a concise and ordered communication of findings;
10. demonstrate introductory skills relating to patient safety, infection control, and basic life support;
11. perform basic physical examination techniques of major regions and body systems, followed by a concise and ordered communication of findings;
12. describe, select and justify basic consultation oriented diagnostic investigations and procedures;
13. demonstrate basic clinical reasoning skills of integrating information from all forms of patient assessment to reach justifiable differential diagnoses;
14. demonstrate a basic understanding of the core concepts of health promotion and population health, with a particular focus on promoting health and wellbeing, preventing disease and injury, and identifying and modifying biological and behavioural risk factors;
15. demonstrate an understanding of the socio-cultural-environmental determinants of health and their impact on the health of individuals and populations including sub-groups based on geographical location, age, gender, culture, spirituality, and social setting;
16. apply fundamental tools and principles of epidemiology to identify and measure the burden of illness of major health challenges facing Australia and other countries, including the gaps in health status and outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;
17. demonstrate a basic understanding of the factors contributing to an epidemic, and the public health strategies available as part of prevention, and response;
18. describe the important elements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, cultural identity and beliefs and the potential impact these have on the health of unique communities;
19. demonstrate an understanding of the development of programs and policies to promote and protect health, as well as prevent disease, and their application through a diverse range of organisations and communities;
20. demonstrate an introductory level of knowledge on equity of access to health care, and approaches to quality and safety in health care;
21. demonstrate appropriately respectful behaviour to staff, students, and members of the public in the role of a medical student;
22. demonstrate an understanding of the broad roles of a doctor; in particular understanding the expectations of individual patients and the community; understanding and respecting the roles of other health professionals; and understanding the need to work in interdisciplinary teams;
23. demonstrate a foundational understanding of moral thinking and the implications for medical practice;
24. demonstrate a foundational understanding of the Australian legal framework for medical practice, with specific reference to the laws in NSW;
25. demonstrate an understanding of the importance to medical practice of personal qualities, including truthfulness, commitment to confidentiality, fidelity, compassion and an ability to self-reflect;
26. demonstrate knowledge of, and commitment to, the policies and procedures governing medical student conduct;
27. demonstrate awareness of the factors that are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of doctors and medical students, particularly with regard to mental health; and
28. demonstrate an understanding of the principles of patient-centred decision-making, including the importance of communicating risks and benefits to a competent patient; and an understanding of the ethical and legal basis for decision-making in an emergency or when a patient is not competent.