Clinical Sciences, Scholarship and Practice 1B (MEDI1101B)

Learning outcomes

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

1. express core skills of sensitive and effective patient-centred communication with patients and their families/carers within the interprofessional healthcare team;
2. describe the core principles of culturally safe practice and demonstrate the skills for sensitively identifying patients of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin;
3. demonstrate appropriate, patient-centred gathering of a system based medical history, according to the level of health literacy. Followed by a concise and ordered communication of findings for respiratory, cardiac, gastrointestinal, renal and endocrine presentations;
4. demonstrate introductory skills relating to personal and patient safety, infection control, and basic life support;
5. demonstrate basic physical examination techniques of cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal and renal systems, followed by a concise and ordered communication of findings;
6. interpret results of basic diagnostic investigations and procedures relevant to cardiac, respiratory, endocrine, renal and gastrointestinal systems;
7. show basic clinical reasoning skills by integrating information from history, physical examination, and basic laboratory and imaging investigations to reach justifiable differential diagnoses for patients with cardiac, respiratory, endocrine, renal and gastrointestinal illnesses;
8. describe the evaluation of risks that can be associated with medical treatment and the basic approach to clinical decision making in this context;
9. demonstrate appropriately respectful behaviour to staff, students, and members of the public in the role of a medical student;
10. demonstrate a foundational understanding of moral thinking and the implications for medical practice;
11. demonstrate an understanding of the importance to medical practice of personal qualities, including truthfulness, commitment to confidentiality, fidelity, compassion, and the ability to self-reflect;
12. demonstrate a foundational understanding of the Australian legal framework for medical practice, with specific reference to the laws in NSW;
13. describe the factors that are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of doctors and medical students, particularly with regard to mental health;
14. demonstrate knowledge of, and commitment to, "Good Medical Practice: A Code of Conduct for Doctors in Australia";
15. demonstrate an understanding of consent in relation to all interactions with patients and an understanding of the ethical and legal basis for decision making and consent in an emergency;
16. show a basic understanding of the core concepts of health promotion and population health with a focus on behavioural risk factors and injury prevention;
17. describe 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, culture, spirituality, and social setting;
18. 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;
19. 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;
20. demonstrate an introductory level of knowledge on equity of access to health care, and describe the attributes of the national systems of health care, including services available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations;
21. describe basic concepts regarding quality and safety in health care and the multi-factorial causes underlying medical errors;
22. describe programs and policies to promote and protect health, as well as prevent disease, and their application through a diverse range of organisations and communities;
23. demonstrate a basic understanding of the factors contributing to an epidemic, and the public health strategies available as part of prevention, and response;
24. 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 and renal systems;
25. demonstrate a foundational understanding of manifestations and natural history of common and important diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal and renal systems;
26. describe the scientific basis of common diagnostic techniques used in the evaluation of cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal and renal diseases;
27. demonstrate a foundational understanding of normal human psychological development through life stages, including concepts of culture and identity and response to acute illness;
28. demonstrate a foundational understanding of the processes of research including study designs;
29. find and access scientific papers using appropriate media and technologies (includes literature searching, use of the internet and library facilities);
30. 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. Express a basic understanding of numerical measures used in papers, interpretation of tests and critical appraisal concepts;
31. demonstrate an appropriate standard of academic writing and understanding and adherence to academic integrity in learning processes and submitted work; and
32. demonstrate a foundational understanding of how digital health information, tools, and systems contribute to communication, patient care, safety, and equitable access within diverse healthcare contexts.