Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives On completion of this subject, students will have a sound understanding of the presenting symptoms and signs of medical illness and how to elicit these through comprehensive history taking and physical examination; the principles underlying major investigative modalities and at a basic level, an understanding of normal and abnormal investigative results; the cohesive formulation of a medical illness in the context of the community environment; communication skills underpinning good clinical practice and the requirements of critical literature evaluation.
Synopsis Continuous attachment to hospital medical wards with involvement in all medical unit activities and regular clerking of patients, requiring comprehensive history, examination, problem formulation and daily progress monitoring; tutorials and seminars covering topics in all major medical speciality areas and investigative medicine; bedside tutorials covering history, and examination and communication skills development; seminars in palliative care principles and techniques; rostered attendance at emergency medicine departments; tutorials and seminars covering principles of management of major medical illnesses; presentation of detailed case reports with relevant literature review; interaction with paramedical staff in the hospital environment with development of clinical skills important for patient management and optimum functioning of the medical and paramedical members of the medical team. Core curriculum relevant to this and involving all major subspecialty areas will be completed by the end of this rotation.
Assessment Continuous assessment and documentation of case report and literature + review: 30% + Clinical examination: 30% + MCQ examination: 40%