MED2100 - Foundations of medical practice - 2019

This unit builds upon previous study to extend and consolidate knowledge, skills and attitudes for medical practice.

Content encompasses the four themes of the Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD) curriculum: Theme I (Personal and Professional Development), Theme II (Society, Population, Health and Illness), Theme III (Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice) and Theme IV (Clinical Skills).

Learning approaches support students in integrating knowledge, skills and attitudes relevant to patient centred health care and the practice of medicine. Students explore health care provision across rural and metropolitan contexts.

This unit provides the foundation for learning in clinical settings in later years of the course.

Theme I - Personal and Professional Development

1. Comply with the code of conduct for Monash medical students
2. Use key ethical and legal principles to discuss issues pertinent to health care and clinical contexts.
3. Communicate effectively and appropriately with others (patients, peers, staff and community members).
4. Interact appropriately and work collaboratively with others.
5. Identify, develop and use approaches to meet academic and personal challenges and needs

   Theme II - Society, Population, Health and Illness

6. Examine key social, economic and environmental determinants of health on status and outcomes in marginalised groups, including the Indigenous population.
7. Explain concepts in prevention science and approaches used in health promotion.
8. Explain concepts in population health, epidemiology and measurement of health and disease in populations.
9. Describe the role of health care services in maintaining health and in monitoring, managing and preventing disease.
10. Using prescribed methodologies search for and critique information from medical research literature and popular information sources.

    Theme III - Scientific Basis of Clinical Practice

11. Describe the structure and function of the human body at cellular, organ, system and whole body levels.
12. Explain biological, psychological and social factors pertinent to understanding human development, health, illness and behaviour.
13. Describe common and important illnesses, conditions and disorders
14. Explain fundamental pathological processes and causes underlying specified illnesses and conditions.
15. Describe drug classes and identify the use and actions of drugs in these groups.

    Theme IV - Clinical Skills

16. Elicit and summarise a structured, comprehensive and logical history in simulated environments.
17. Perform and summarise an appropriate examination for specified systems in simulated environments.
18. Propose and justify the reasoning for a differential diagnosis (list).
19. Competently perform specified clinical procedures and tasks in simulated environments.
20. Identify relevant investigations for specified problems or conditions.
21. Outline a basic management plan for specified common problems and conditions.
22. Use principles for effectively communicating medical information to patients in simulated settings.

• 2 x Written assignments (6,000 words total) (20%)
• Oral group presentation & report (30 minutes + 3,000 words) (20%)
• Rural/Prevention Science group assignment (3,000 words) (15%)
• 6 x On-line tests (6 hours total) (30%)
• Tutor reports (5%)
• Practical assessments (10%)

Hurdle requirements:

Students must attend a minimum of 80% of designated teaching activities to pass this unit.

Students must achieve an overall pass for written assignments, quizzes and competency based practical assessments to pass this unit

Note: This is a 24 credit point unit delivered across a full year which equates to a 12 credit point workload per semester.

12 hours of teacher directed study per week including tutorials, workshops, practical sessions, site visits and integrated case based tutorials each week plus 12 hours of on-line and self-directed study.

Total per week = 24 hours

See also Unit timetable information

Medicine and Surgery