FOR5008 - Custodial medicine - 2019

6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

Postgraduate - Unit

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

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Forensic Medicine

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Luke Streitberg
Associate Professor Richard Bassed

Coordinator(s)

Dr Luke Streitberg

Quota applies

This unit is quota restricted. Selection is on a first-in, first enrolled basis. For further information please contact the Postgraduate Course Administrator via email mnhs-forensicmedicine@monash.edu or phone 03 9684 4115.

Unit guides

Offered

Southbank

  • Second semester 2019 (Online)

Co-requisites

Must be enrolled in a Postgraduate degree

Synopsis

The aim of this unit is to present and discuss the current issues arising from the provision of a medical service in a custodial setting. The topics covered provide insights into the health impacts of penal institutions and the powers and responsibilities of custodians; ethical issues; fitness for interview; fitness for detention; deaths in custody; interpersonal violence and the assessment and management of some frequently presenting medical problems (specifically mental illness and addiction).

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Evaluate the responsibilities and powers of custodians;
  2. Distinguish between the functions and purposes of custodial and penal institutions;
  3. Outline procedures for investigating complaints by prisoners, and the issues surrounding deaths in custody;
  4. Evaluate the ethical issues of the doctor/patient relationship in a custodial setting;
  5. Conduct an assessment of an individual's fitness to be interviewed or detained in custody;
  6. Create management strategies for a range of medical problems presenting in the custodial setting;
  7. Identify and evaluate the challenges related to safe prescribing of medications in a custodial environment.

Assessment

  • Assessment 1: Case Study 1 (2000 words) (25%)
  • Assessment 2: Case Study 2 (2000 words) (25%)
  • Assessment 3: Oral Presentation (15 minutes) (25%)
  • Assessment 4: Essay (2000 words) (25%)

Hurdle requirement

A pass in all elements of assessment is required. Students must obtain at least 50 % of the available marks for each element of assessment to pass the unit.

Workload requirements

It is expected that students will need to undertake approximately 12 hours of study per week over the semester. This will include contact time, private study, assessment tasks (case studies, assignments) and, where possible, involvement in casework. Students are required to attend all workshops offered at the Department of Forensic Medicine during the semester.

See also Unit timetable information

Off-campus attendance requirements

Compulsory 2 day workshop.

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at: