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Managing Underperforming Trainees (MEDS90014)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Off Campus

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Overview

Availability
January - Off Campus
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Managing student performance can be challenging at many levels. Poorly performing or dis-engaged students may increase clinical risk, require intensive support, negatively impact teamwork both in the classroom and in the workplace, reduce productivity and lower morale. A recent survey at the College identified that identification and management of poorly performing trainees was one of surgical educators’ greatest challenges. This subject has been developed to provide surgical educators with the tools and skills to minimise the likelihood of students under-performing and to provide strategies to manage such students when they are identified. This subject explores ways to support trainees who are not progressing as expected. This is an opportunity to develop high level skills in learner-centred education. Theory and skills acquired in core subjects are applied in the context of managing the under performing trainee. In some ways this subject is an extended ‘master class’ in learner-centred support. Unlike many other professions, underperforming surgical trainees in the workplace can increase patient safety risk. Surgical educators need to be actively involved in strategies to engage their students, to identify and develop strategies to manage students experiencing difficulties and to balance trainee educational needs with safe clinical practice.

The overall aims of this subject are:

  • To explore and understand typical characteristics and motivations of underperforming students
  • To develop teaching strategies that encourage participation
  • To identify and implement a range of educational methods to support and manage underperforming students

Intended learning outcomes

After completing the subject participants should be able to:



  • Develop teaching and learning strategies that will maximise student engagement
  • Identify characteristics of underperforming trainees with emphasis on recognition of early warning signs
  • Outline and implement a range of supportive educational methods
  • Refine verbal and written skills for providing feedback to underperforming trainees
  • Practice effective learner-centred observation and feedback
  • Design learning activities for an underperforming trainee

Generic skills

  • Communication strategies for students in difficulty
  • Curriculum and teaching strategies to encourage student participation
  • Study skills related to a range of educational methods
  • Academic reading skills
  • Academic writing
  • Applying theory to practice
  • Reference manager skills
  • Work effectively within a small group
  • Learn independently

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted in GC-SURGED, GD-SURGED or MC-SURGED. This subject is not available for students admitted in any other courses.

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MEDS90006 Context of Surgical Education
January (Off Campus)
 12.5
MEDS90007 Learning & Teaching in Surgical Practice
January (Off Campus)
 12.5
MEDS90008 Educational Theory for Surgical Training
Semester 2 (Off Campus)
 12.5
MEDS90009 Curriculum Design in Surgical Education
Semester 2 (Off Campus)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Assessment

Additional details

  • 1,500 word essay, due mid semester, (30%). This assessment examines students’ ability to reflect on and rationalise their skills in the hurdle assessment.
  • 3,500 word essay - design a learning activity for an underperforming trainee, due end of semester, (70%). This assessment provides an opportunity for students to develop learning activities for an underperforming trainee. Like the hurdle assessment, the students’ knowledge and skills from subjects 2 & 4 will be extended. It is also an opportunity to draw on content covered in elective subjects.

Hurdle Requirement: Experiential - students complete two exercises in the provision of support for underperforming trainees, due on study day. The aim of this assessment is to provide students with an opportunity to provide verbal and written feedback to an underperforming trainee. This extends skills explored in Subject 2. The high stakes of the consequences for ‘underperforming trainees’ means that students must extend their knowledge and performance of skills from Subject 2.

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Dates & times

  • January - Off Campus
    Principal coordinatorDebra Nestel
    Mode of deliveryOff Campus
    Contact hours
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period21 January 2019 to 22 April 2019
    Last self-enrol date 8 February 2019
    Census date 6 March 2019
    Last date to withdraw without fail12 April 2019
    Assessment period ends22 May 2019

    January contact information

    Melbourne School of Professional and Continuing Education

    Further information: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/master-of-surgical-education/

    Email: continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au

    Phone: + 61 3 8344 0149

    Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm AEST/AEDT. Weekends and University of Melbourne observed Public Holidays 10am to 5pm AEST/AEDT.

Time commitment details

170 hours per 12.5 credit point subject.

Additional delivery details

Intensive delivery

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Reading materials online

  • Subject notes

    IT requirements:

    Participants will require access to the internet with a minimum connection speed of 256Kbps to access course materials and to participate in on-line discussions and presentations forums. Faster connection speeds are preferred. Participants will also need to verify that their internet connection is configured to allow them to view streamed audio and video files. Test files will be made available for students to test their connections.

    Participants are expected to have a headset and microphone connected to their computer for participation in on-line activities.

    Participants will be expected to have access to the following Microsoft Office products to fully participate:

    • MS Word
    • MS Powerpoint

    All online applications will be web-based and no special software is required.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseMaster of Surgical Education
    CourseGraduate Diploma in Surgical Education
  • Links to additional information

    https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/graduate-diploma-in-surgical-education/

    continuing-education@unimelb.edu.au

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

Last updated: 3 November 2022