UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

The final year of the MD has a continuing emphasis on clinical skills, communication and discipline specific expertise, but with an emphasis on further developing decision-making skills and work readiness. Students

will advance their capacity to develop differential diagnoses based upon clinical findings, formulate rational investigation plans and develop proficiency in formulating patient management and treatment plans. There is also a continuing emphasis on working in interprofessional teams. This will occur through clinical placements in general medicine (including geriatric and palliative medicine), psychiatry, critical care (including anaesthetics, emergency medicine and intensive care), surgery, otorhinolaryngology and

musculoskeletal disciplines. Students will be required to complete a four-week rural rotation and may also have access to selective rotations. Experiential learning will occur in the hospital and community settings. Studentswill also complete a capstone project in the form of an audit or a piece of clinical research. After the end-of-year examinations, students undertake a four-week elective experience that is designed to extend learning in an area of medicine that is of particular interest to them.

Credit

0 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	Albany	Face to face
Non-standard teaching period	Broome	Face to face
Non-standard teaching period	Bunbury	Face to face
Non-standard teaching period	Geraldton	Face to face
Non-standard teaching period	Kalgoorlie	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) apply advanced knowledge, skills and attitudes of a pre-intern in all rotations, including mental health and emergency medicine rotations.; (2) elicit specific and multi-system history and examination skills, interpret and integrate the findings to identify a diagnosis with relevant differentials, determine and justify investigations, formulate comprehensive treatment management plans including inter-professional interventions; and demonstrate proficiency in performing routine procedural skills with minimal supervision in a range of clinical settings. ; (3) communicate proficiently and professionally, both orally and in writing, with patients, their relatives,colleagues, other health professionals and for scientific reporting contexts

; (4) develop and implement a systems approach to advocating for, and making, improvements to the quality and safety of the Australian health care system.

; (5) evaluate and apply effective approaches to addressing health disparities for Aboriginal peoples, including a working knowledge of the historical, geographical and socio-cultural context of health care for Aboriginal peoples, and the ability to plan and provide care in a comprehensive, interprofessional and inclusive

manner that is respectful and culturally safe.

; (6) work collaboratively as an integral member of an interprofessional healthcare team to provide quality patient-centred care.

; (7) refine their repertoire of clinical and research skills such that they can continuously improve and

contribute to the expansion and application of medical knowledge and evidence supported best practice.; (8) consistently act professionally in the organisational context and carry out legal and ethical responsibilities relating to the

duty of care to patients and colleagues, privacy, confidentiality, mandatory reporting and notification.

; and (9) be supportive of the cultural, emotional and spiritual needs of patients (and their families and

advocates)..

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) students must complete assessments required by unit MEDI6400. These assessments are administered directly to Notre Dame. They include:

Work-based assessment; (2) written exams; (3) portfolio; (4) clinical audit or research project; (5) elective assessment form; and (6) end of year OSCE. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the students must complete assessments required by unit MEDI6400. These assessments are administered directly to Notre Dame. They include: Work-based assessment, written exams, portfolio, clinical audit or research project, elective assessment form, and end of year OSCE components.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Michele Gawlinski

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Successful completion of

RMED5312 Integrated Rural Medical Practice 1—Notre Dame
and RMED5322 Integrated Rural Medical Practice 2 - Notre Dame

Advisable prior study

MEDI6300 (Notre Dame)

Approved quota: 30—based on availability of clinical placements at rural sites.

Contact hours

Clinical placement: approximately 40 hours per week

Note

To be eligible to apply for this unit you must have successfully completed RMED5321/5322 Intergrated Rural Medical Practice 1 and 2 in the previous year. Selection is based on online application, interview, confirmation of financial independance, and availability of accommodation at rural sites.