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Basic Surgical Skills I (SURG90028)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
The aim of this subject is to develop basic surgical skills. Simulation will enable exposure to a wide range of surgical skills relevant to open and endoscopic surgery. Emphasis will be on introducing and developing
correct techniques. Students will also learn to safely handle surgical instruments, recognize characteristics of different anatomical structures, describe the selection and execution of incisions and principles of
diathermy. The fundamentals of local anaesthesia will also be covered. Students will rehearse patientcentred communication, clinical handover skills, telephone and ward-based communication.
Patient safety is a prominent theme through the subject.
Intended learning outcomes
Students completing this subject should be able to:
- Describe strategies for use of specific surgical sutures and needles
- Demonstrate competence in tying a variety of surgical sutures
- Identify, describe the function and appropriately handle a range of surgical instruments
- Describe principles in the selection and execution of an incision
- Describe the principles of handling tissues recognizing requirements for different sites (e.g. skin, bowel, abdominal wall, vessels, tendons etc)
- Describe local anaesthetic techniques
- Describe the principles of diathermy and safe electrosurgery practice
- Demonstrate effective patient-centred communication
- List steps to effective clinical handover skills
- Demonstrate integration of surgical skills in different simulation models – that is, from incision, tissue handling, instrument, suture and needle selection, and suturing/tying skills
Generic skills
- Initiative, autonomy, organization
- Problem-solving
- Oral communication
- Finding, evaluating and using relevant information
- Written communication
- Working with others and in teams
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Written reflection; Students are asked to write a reflection based on their experiences of real or simulated experiences relevant to the practice of specific surgical skills
| Week 2 | 20% |
Oral presentation (video); Students are required to prepare a video demonstrating knowledge and safe practice of relevant surgical skills
| Week 5 | 20% |
Essay (case study); Students have a choice of two essays: Either a case study demonstrating the student's knowledge and practice of relevant surgical skills; or, an essay of patient safety relevant to surgical practice.
| Week 12 | 60% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Debra Nestel Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 14 hours intensive, over two days Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Required readings will be available electronically via the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of semester.
Flin, R., P. O'Connor and M. Crichton (2008). Safety at the Sharp End: A Guide to Non-Technical Skills. Hampshire, Ashgate Publishing Limited.
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC). (2012). "National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards." from http://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NSQHS-Standards-Sept-2012.pdf
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Graduate Diploma in Surgical Science Course Master of Surgical Science Course Graduate Certificate in Surgical Science
Last updated: 3 November 2022