Key facts
UNE unit code: MEDI2101B
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- JMP Semester 2 - On Campus
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- 24
Unit information

This course builds on foundational skills and knowledge gained in MEDI1101 to examine specific content related to endocrinology; the musculoskeletal and nervous systems; ear, nose and throat; ophthalmology; reproduction; emotion and behaviour; clinical haematology; biochemistry; pharmacology; immunology; microbiology; genetics and cell pathology.
The course presents students with a series of problem based learning (PBL) scenarios in order to further develop students’ knowledge and skills for clinical practice. PBL scenarios are used to drive student learning and begin the student’s integration of the sciences that inform medical practice. PBL content continues to be presented using the organising framework of the extended family and their experiences of health, illness and medicine.
Skills that are related to clinical practice are taught and assessed throughout the course using simulation and clinical placement experiences. Students apply more complex knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics to management of the patient with conditions related to the above. Students apply the concept of diagnostics through the integration of history taking, physical examination and use of appropriate, readily available diagnostic tests. Elements of the course have a particular focus on the elements of medical practice related to the role of doctors as advocates for the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| JMP Semester 2 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
This unit is Part B of a multi-term sequence. Part B must be completed after completion of Part A and within the twelve month period from commencement of Part A to meet the requirements of the sequence.
Students may require a Working With Children Check for placements outside the health system. This requirement will be confirmed by the host institution prior to a student commencing placement.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate core skills of sensitive and effective patient-centred communication with patients and their families/carers within the interprofessional healthcare team;
- demonstrate the core principles of culturally safe and empathic practice free of racism and discrimination;
- demonstrate the appropriate, patient-centred gathering of a system based medical history, according to the level of the health literacy of the patient. Followed by a concise and ordered communication of findings for haematologic, immunologic, musculoskeletal, neurologic, reproductive and neuropsychiatric presentations;
- demonstrate basic physical examination techniques of neurologic and musculoskeletal systems and evaluation of mental state, followed by a concise and ordered communication of findings;
- select, justify and interpret basic consultation orientated diagnostic investigations and procedures and describe the principles of basic management relevant to haematologic, immunologic, musculoskeletal, neurologic, reproductive and neuropsychiatric systems;
- demonstrate basic clinical reasoning skills of integrating information from all forms of patient assessment to reach justifiable differential diagnoses for patients with haematologic, immunologic, musculoskeletal, neurologic, reproductive and neuropsychiatric illnesses. Apply clinical reasoning skills to patients with multisystem disease;
- demonstrate an understanding of the principles of patient-centred decision making, including the importance of communicating risks and benefits to a competent patient;
- explain the use of digital health information, tools, and data to support clinical decision-making, patient safety, and ethical, equitable healthcare within diverse and culturally safe contexts;
- explain 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;
- demonstrate professional values including compassion and empathy and respect for all patients. Demonstrate professional qualities of integrity and honesty;
- demonstrate an understanding of the importance of confidentiality, informed consent, truth telling and conflict of interest to medical practice;
- demonstrate the ability to self-evaluate own personal professional qualities and skills;
- 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. Describe where and when to access help for a medical student's personal health needs that may impact patients;
- demonstrate growing knowledge of, and understanding of and commitment to, the policies and procedures governing medical student conduct;
- explain the ethical and legal basis for decision-making when a patient is not competent;
- demonstrate an understanding of the core concepts of health promotion and population health, with a particular focus on promoting health and wellbeing, disease prevention, and identifying and modifying biological and behavioural risk factors;
- 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, culture, spirituality, sexual orientation, gender identity, race and social setting;
- outline 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 and individuals and interactions with healthcare systems;
- demonstrate an understanding of the development of screening and health promotion programs and policies and their application through a diverse range of organisations and communities;
- show an introductory level of knowledge of the principles of equity of distribution and access to health care;
- describe approaches used to improve the quality and safety of health care;
- 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 neurology, haematology, reproductive health, emotion and behaviour;
- demonstrate a foundational understanding of manifestations and natural history of common and important diseases of haematologic, immunologic, musculoskeletal, neurologic, reproductive and neuropsychiatric systems;
- describe the scientific basis of common diagnostic techniques used in the evaluation of haematologic, immunologic, musculoskeletal, neurologic, reproductive and neuropsychiatric systems;
- demonstrate a foundational understanding of the psychosocial impact of complex and chronic illness;
- apply methods of critical evaluation according to the basic principles of evidence-based practice;
- synthesise information from several sources and demonstrate an appropriate standard of academic writing and scientific numeracy skills whilst maintaining academic integrity in learning processes and submitted work;
- calculate and interpret common measures used in scientific papers.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance at mandatory sessions | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 4.7 Pass requirement - must attempt this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Clinical Skills Assessment | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 2.2 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Formative MCQ Exam | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 4.10 Pass requirement - must attempt this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Formative Script Concordance Test | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 4.8 Timetabled during MEDI2101B Pass requirement - must attempt this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| GP Case Report and Presentation | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 3.2 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| General Practice Log Book | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 4.5 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| General Practice Supervisor Report | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 4.4 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Health, Law and Ethics Video Task | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 3.3 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Indigenous Health Communication Modules | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 4.14 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Multidisciplinary Radiation Therapy Modules and Group Session | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 4.13 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Online Formative MCQ Quizzes | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 4.11 Pass requirement - must attempt this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Online Formative research skills quizzes and discussion forum post | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 4.12 Pass requirement - must attempt this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| PBL Tutorial Participation and Contribution | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 4.1 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| PBL facilitator one on one feedback meetings | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 4.6 Pass requirement - must complete this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Pre-placement verification | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 4.9 Pass requirement - must complete this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Professional Behaviour Reflection Task | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 4.3 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Research Assignment | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 3.1 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Structured Clinical Skills Feedback Reflecting Adequate Participation and Contribution | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 4.2 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Summative Anatomy and Histology Practical MCQ Exam | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 1.2 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Summative Examination Clinical Assessment - OSCE | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 2.1 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Summative MCQ Exam | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 1.1 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. | |
| Summative SAQ Examination | Yes | All offerings | Refer to Course Outline in Canvas - assessment 1.3 Pass requirement - must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Recommended material may be held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
Medical Biochemistry at a Glance
ISBN: 9780470654514
Salway, J.G., Wiley-Blackwell 3rd ed. 2012
Text refers to: All offerings
Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
ISBN: 9781259584732
Brunton, L., Knollmann, B., Hilal-Dandan, R., McGraw-Hill Education 13th ed. 2018
Text refers to: All offerings
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN: 9781118774564
Tortora, G. and Derrickson, B., Wiley 14th ed. 2014
Text refers to: All offerings
Acland's DVD Atlas of Human Anatomy
ISBN: 9780781740685
Acland, R., Lippincott Williams and Wilkins 2004
Text refers to: All offerings
Fundamentals of Pharmacology
ISBN: 9781488610028
Bullock, S. and Manias, E., Pearson Australia 8th ed. 2016
Text refers to: All offerings
Prescott's Microbiology
ISBN: 9781259281594
Willey, J., Sherwood, L. and Woolverton, C., McGraw-Hill 10th ed. 2016
Text refers to: All offerings
The Patient History: An Evidence-Based Approach to Differential Diagnosis
ISBN: 9780071624947
Henderson, M.C., Tierney, L.M. and Smetana, G.W., McGraw-Hill 2nd ed. 2012
Text refers to: All offerings
Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach
ISBN: 9781292259543
Silverthorn, D.U., Pearson Education Limited 8th Global edtion 2018
Text refers to: All offerings
Lecture Notes: Human Physiology
ISBN: 9781405136518
Petersen, O., Wiley-Blackwell 5th ed. 2006
Text refers to: All offerings
Foundations of Clinical Psychiatry
ISBN: 9780522870954
Bloch, S., Green, A.J., Mitchell, P.B. and Robertson, M., Melbourne University Press 4th ed. 2017
Text refers to: All offerings
Good Medical Practice: Professionalism, Ethics and Law
ISBN: 9781938182679
Breen, K., Cordner, S. and Thomson, C., Australian Medical Council Limited 4th ed. 2016
Text refers to: All offerings
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology
ISBN: 9781455770052
Hall, J. and Guyton, A., Elsevier 13th ed. 2015
Text refers to: All offerings
Skills for Communicating with Patients
ISBN: 9781846193651
Silverman, J., Kurtz, S. and Draper, J., CRC Press 3rd revised ed. 2016
Text refers to: All offerings
Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN: 9781488687488
Martini, F., Nath , J and Bartholomew, F., Pearson Australia 11th ed, 2018
Text refers to: All offerings
Wheater's Basic Pathology: A Text, Atlas and Review of Histopathology
ISBN: 9780443067976
Young, B., Stewart, W., O'Dowd, G. and Wheater, P., Churchill Livingstone Elsevier 5th ed. 2011
Text refers to: All offerings
Microbiology and Infection Control for Health Professionals
ISBN: 9781486019144
Lee, G. and Bishop, P., Pearson 6th ed. 2015
Text refers to: All offerings
Health and Human Behaviour
ISBN: 9780195577259
Jones, K., Victoria Oxford University Press 3rd ed. 2012
Text refers to: All offerings
Introduction to Genetic Analysis
ISBN: 9781464109485
Griffiths, J.F., Wessler, S.R., Carroll, S.B. and Doebley, J., W.H. Freeman and Company 11th ed. 2015
Text refers to: All offerings
See Note
Text refers to: All offerings
Clinical Examination: A Systematic Guide to Physical Diagnosis
ISBN: 9780729542593
Talley, N.J. and O'Connor, S., Elsevier 8th ed. 2017
Text refers to: All offerings
Medical Biochemistry
ISBN: 9780702072994
Baynes, J. and Dominiczak M., Elsevier 5th ed, 2018
Text refers to: All offerings
Clinical Epidemiology: The Essentials
ISBN: 9781451144475
Fletcher, R.W. and Fletcher, S.W., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 5th ed. 2013
Text refers to: All offerings
Rang and Dale's Pharmacology
ISBN: 9780702074486
Ritter, J.M., Flower, R., Henderson, G., Lake, Y.K., MacEwan, D. and Rang, H.P., Elsevier 9th ed 2019
Text refers to: All offerings
The New Public Health
ISBN: 9780195588088
Baum, F., Oxford University Press 4th ed. 2015
Text refers to: All offerings
Wheater's Functional Histology
ISBN: 9780702047473
Young, B., Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier 6th ed. 2013
Text refers to: All offerings
Janeway's Immunobiology
ISBN: 9780815345510
Murphy, K. and Weaver, C., Taylor and Francis Inc. 9th ed. 2016
Text refers to: All offerings
Behavioural Science in Medicine
ISBN: 9781609136642
Fadem, B., Lippincott Williams and Wilkins 2nd ed. 2012
Text refers to: All offerings
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