Principles of Clinical Practice 3 (MEDS90020)

Intended learning outcomes

In line with the graduate attributes of the MD, by the end of the subject students should have developed the following objectives to a level appropriate for the third year of the course:

Patient
1. Learn from patients, health professionals and the community in relevant clinical settings
2. Respect the rights of patients including patient choice, dignity and privacy in relevant clinical settings
3. Communicate effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds including listening to, responding to, and understanding the patient’s perspective in relevant clinical settings
4. Apply the principles of rehabilitation in the amelioration of suffering from acute or chronic disability in relevant clinical settings
5. Apply the principles of the care of the dying and ease pain and suffering in all patients
6. Understand chronic illness and disability and its impact on the patient, their carers and communities
7. Construct an accurate, thorough, organised, medical history and perform an accurate physical and mental state examination
8. Integrate and interpret clinical findings and apply rigorous reasoning to arrive at an appropriate diagnosis or differential diagnosis
9. Select and interpret the most appropriate and cost effective diagnostic procedures
10. Formulate a simple evidence-based management plan in collaboration with a patient
11. Recognise serious illness in relevant clinical settings
12. Perform relevant medical procedures effectively and safely, with due regard for the patient’s comfort including important emergency and life-saving procedures

Knowledge
1. Understand the aetiology, pathology, symptoms and signs, natural history and prognosis of important physical and mental illnesses in all stages of life
2. Understand the management (pharmacological, physical, nutritional, behavioural and psychological) of important medical conditions at all stages of life
3. Access new knowledge from all sources and analyse and interpret it in a critical manner

Self
1. Demonstrate empathy, compassion, honesty and integrity in relevant clinical interactions
2. Apply the principles of reflective practice in relevant clinical settings
3. Recognise when clinical problems exceed your knowledge in relevant clinical settings and to know when to ask for help
4. Identify and address your learning needs in relevant clinical settings
5. Respond constructively to assessment and appraisal in a clinical setting
6. Manage clinical uncertainty in relevant clinical settings
7. Apply effective time management and organisational skills to relevant clinical settings
8. Recognise your own emotion and emotion in others in relevant clinical settings
9. Maintain your own physical, emotional, social and spiritual health and understand the importance of professional support in this process
10. Understand how your own spiritual, cultural or religious beliefs should not prevent the provision of adequate and appropriate health care to a patient

Medical Profession
1. Understand the continuum of medical training and the diverse roles and expertise of doctors
2. Understand the potential conflicts of interest that may confront doctors
3. Apply the principles of ethics in the provision of health care
4. Provide effective feedback to colleagues in a clinical setting

Systems of Health Care
1. Understand the roles, responsibilities and expertise of all health professionals, and how they work in teams to deliver health care
2. Understand the principles of team work and work effectively in a team
3. Understand the principles of quality and safety in health care systems
4. Understand the principles of effective record keeping
5. Understand the principles of continuity and coordination of health care

Society
1. Understand the interactions between humans and their social and physical environment
2. Understand the principles of health promotion including primary and secondary prevention
3. Understand the health of Indigenous Australians including their history, cultural development and the impact of colonisation and the ongoing health disparities of Indigenous people in this country and globally
4. Respect community values and appreciate a diversity of backgrounds and cultural values
5. Understand the principles of health literacy
6. Contribute to the community
7. Contribute to the resolution of health inequities locally and globally
8. Practise medicine in an environmentally responsible way

Generic skills

Extensive knowledge of a particular professional area, including relevant professional knowledge and skills, and informed respect for the principles, disciplines, values and ethics of a chosen profession:

• Highly developed cognitive, analytic and problem-solving skills
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning
• Ability and self-confidence to comprehend complex concepts to express them lucidly, whether orally or in writing, and to confront unfamiliar problems
• Leadership capacity, including a willingness to engage in constructive public discourse, to accept social and civic responsibilities
• Ability and confidence to participate effectively in collaborative learning as a team-member, while respecting individual differences
• Ability to plan work and to use time effectively