Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Offered	Clayton Second semester 2011 (Day) Sunway Second semester 2011 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Professor Christine McMenamin

Synopsis

THEME 1: 'Health Enhancement Program' develops strategies for personal health enhancement and ethical/legal issues relevant to professional responsibility, the doctor-patient relationship and public accountability.
THEME 2: 'Population Health' develops an understanding of epidemiology, construction of epidemiological study design, function and interpretation of statistical information and critical appraisal of research publications.
THEME 3: 'Neuroscience, musculo-skeletal and behaviour' examines major concepts within the areas of 'Neuroscience', 'The musculo-skeletal system' and 'Behaviour'. THEME 4: 'Clinical Skills' develops comprehensive medical history taking skills and awareness of key ethical issues involved in communication with patients, family members, carers and health professionals. Rural attachment: a week based at a rural centre will focus on developing an understanding of the practice of medicine in a rural context. Electives: time is allocated for students to undertake elective studies within or outside the faculty.

Objectives

Theme I: On completion of this sub-unit students will be able to:

1. identify ongoing strategies for their own health enhancement;

2. understand difference ethical debates involving: doctor/patient relationships; health and illness; ideas of personhood and body;

3. understand concepts of professional responsibility and public accountability with reference to the role of the courts, common law, statutes and professional self-regulation;

4. understand the conceptual and practical implications of Community Service Placements in Year 2;

5. articulate and debrief their early clinical experiences.

Theme II: On completion of this sub-unit students will be able to:

6. demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and methods of biostatistics in medical research;

7. understand the strengths and weaknesses of different epidemiological study designs;

8. appreciate the role of chance, bias and confounding in epidemiological studies;

9. critically appraise articles in medical journals;

10. Interpret and appreciate the clinical relevance of statistical information presented in medical research publications;

Theme III: On completion of this sub-unit students will be able to:

11. demonstrate a knowledge and appreciation of the function of peripheral sensory systems, sensory pathways, motor pathways and the importance of sensory feedback;

12. understand the general and detailed organization of the limbs and back;

13. identify and test the muscle groups acting on the joints of the upper and lower limb, the cranio-vertebral and the intervertebral joints, and their normal range of movement;

14. identify the surface markings of the major joints, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and bony features of the upper and lower limbs and vertebral column; and understand the application of imaging technologies to the musculoskeletal systems;

15. understand the detailed structure and function of the tissues of the musculoskeletal system, including bone, muscle, tendon, articular cartilage, ligaments and connective tissue;

16. demonstrate an introductory level of understanding of human psychology and the neurobiological basis of human behaviour;

17. discuss the pathogenesis of diseases caused by bacteria and microbes;

18. outline the pharmacological agents used in the treatment of infectious disease.

Human Lifespan Development: On completion of this sub-unit, students will be able to:

19. describe approaches to the study of human development across the lifespan;

20. describe the trajectory of development, and its importance to an understanding of the individual as a complete human being within a social setting.

Theme IV: On completion of this sub-unit students will be able to:

21. understand the framework for, and skills required, to take a comprehensive medical history using the principles of clinical reasoning, to arrive at an understanding of the patient as a whole person;

22. perform a basic mental state examination, basic examination of the musculoskeletal system and basic examination of the neurological system;

23. work cooperatively with other health professionals and trainees to achieve specific tasks;

24. demonstrate an awareness of key ethical issues when communicating with patients, their families, their carers (including health professionals and community groups).

Rural Attachment: on completion of this Rural Attachment students will be able to:

25. recognise the importance of place to health, illness, injury and health service delivery;

26. describe the health, illness, community services and facilities available in a rural location;

27. recognise how rural health differs across gender, age, race and sexual orientation;

28. compare and contrast medicine in a rural context with their metropolitan experiences to date.

Assessment

Examinations and written assignments to account for 80% of the end of Year 1 result as follows:
Semester assessment tasks 30%
End of semester written and OSCE-style examinations 50%
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% at designated small group teaching activities to pass this unit

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Christine McMenamin

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in the MBBS or MBBS/LLB