Leader: Dr C Smith

Offered

Clayton First semester 2008 (Off-campus)
Clayton Second semester 2008 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This elective unit involves the consultation - communication and examination, development - physical, intellectual and psychological, management of common problems in infancy, respiratory disease in childhood, paediatric emergencies, common behavioural disturbances at different ages, engaging the adolescent patient, preventative care in childhood, paediatric dilemmas, common paediatric skin problems and psychiatry.

Objectives

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Critically appraise important issues in child health;
2. Identify and strengthen the unique GP role in paediatrics;
3. Develop a comprehensive approach to child health and management of illness in the paediatric age group.
4. Update practical skills in important paediatric problems;
5. Gain confidence in, and exposure to, handling delicate and difficult areas of child health which GPs often tend to avoid;
6. Develop strategies for handling difficult consultations both with children and their parents;
7. Assess normal development and deviations from that norm;
8. Mobilise community resources for children with special needs;
9. Communicate with and manage appropriately the adolescent patient.
10. Think preventatively in child health consultations;
11. Effectively handle paediatric emergencies;
12. Manage many varied and difficult clinical problems in a more effective and comprehensive way than previously.

Assessment

Journals (50%), Essay (15%), Clinical Audit (35%)