Program Overview

MEDI8312 Core Clinical Placements B

Overview

MEDI8312 is a unit that comprises 12 weeks of core clinical placements, where students are embedded in healthcare teams working with individuals with various health conditions in Stage 2 of the Macquarie MD.

Unit Description

This unit provides students with the opportunity to participate in the delivery of patient-centred healthcare and apply their medical science knowledge, pathophysiological understanding, history-taking, and physical examination skills. Students will integrate and apply their clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills, formulate a management plan in diverse clinical settings, and demonstrate significant progress toward the development of the 4 Macquarie MD Graduate Capabilities.

General Information

• Unit convenor and teaching staff:
  • Stage 2 Lead / Discipline Lead Paediatrics: Penny Uther
  • Year 3 Lead / Discipline Lead O&G: Carol Cooke
  • Discipline Lead Primary Care: Tim Tse, Bosco Wu
  • Discipline Lead Medicine: Vivek Thakkar, Patricia Hullah
  • Discipline Lead Surgery: Vincent Lam
  • Samantha Smith
• Credit points: 15
• Prerequisites: MEDI8204 and MEDI8311
• Corequisites: MEDI8314 and MEDI8310
• Co-badged status: None

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of relevant medical sciences, health conditions, scientific principles, and mechanisms of disease to explain clinical presentations.
• Formulate focused clinical questions, use effective information search strategies, critically evaluate the quality of evidence, and develop evidence-based judgements.
• Elicit a concise and accurate medical history, conduct physical and/or mental examinations, and communicate sensitively in clinical settings.
• Use research-informed clinical reasoning to derive differential diagnoses, investigations, and basic management plans.
• Communicate history, physical examination findings, differential diagnoses, and management plans concisely and accurately.
• Perform procedural skills competently and safely in a clinical environment.
• Practice effectively with cultural responsiveness and sensitivity in clinical settings.
• Identify and discuss social, cultural, and economic factors impacting healthcare and population health.
• Demonstrate effective teamwork and professional behaviour in accordance with ethical, legal, and professional standards.
• Use feedback to inform self-evaluation, critical reflection, and generate development plans.

Assessment Tasks

• In-Training Assessments (ITA): 60%, no hurdle, due varies by discipline
• Clinical Discipline / Ethics Projects: 40%, no hurdle, due varies by discipline

Delivery and Resources

Clinical learning will be supplemented by a structured academic program, including face-to-face tutorials, online lectures, simulation tutorials, and self-directed learning. Resources include eTG, UpToDate, and a comprehensive curriculum presented on iLearn.

Policies and Procedures

Students should be aware of the following policies:

• Academic Appeals Policy
• Academic Integrity Policy
• Academic Progression Policy
• Assessment Policy
• Fitness to Practice Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
• Special Consideration Policy

Student Support

Macquarie University provides support services, including:

• Academic Success resources for English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills
• Library support for finding and using information resources
• IT support
• Accessibility and disability support
• Mental health support
• Safety support
• Social support
• Student Advocacy

Academic Integrity

Macquarie University emphasizes academic integrity, providing resources to help students meet expectations, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development, and wellbeing consultations.