Course duration

This course runs over course, commencing in Semester 2, 2019.

Course description

This course provides a unique opportunity for medical students to understand and experience the rewards, benefits and challenges of clinical practice among population groups and/or in communities that face access and equity challenges associated with health service delivery. Such challenges can be attributed to contextual factors such as geographical isolation, ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic status and/or life circumstance. Clinical practice within such a contextual framework requires distinctively generalist knowledge, skills and attitudes. The core values underpinning care in these contexts include: the dignity of the patient, their caregiver/s and family; empowerment of the patient, their caregiver/s and family; compassion towards the patient, caregiver/s and family; equity to access to services and allocation of resources; respect for the patient, their caregiver/s and family; advocacy on behalf of the patients, families and communities and excellence in the provision of care and support. Whilst the context might be different, clinical practice is governed by a number of common parameters such as professional challenges, whole person care and team based case management. An important focus of this course will be the psychosocial history, understanding social determinants of health and encouraging students to be reflective and compassionate practitioners. Students will have the opportunity to engage in experiential, contemplative, reflective and narrative learning to deepen their understanding of the core values of medical practice. At the core of each student's learning experience will be a structured clinical placement where students will work closely with a clinical preceptor who will guide and support students as they provide health care in context and continue to develop their general medical skills.

Archived offerings