MBBS Curriculum Options

Please check with the medical school to ensure information is up to date.

Years 2-3

Indigenous Health Care

This course aims to introduce students to an analysis of Indigenous health that draws on inter-disciplinary theoretical frameworks from the social sciences and humanities, including reference to frameworks developed by Indigenous social scientists, writers and artists. Students will explore historical, social and cultural contexts and their application to an analysis of particular Indigenous health problems. The will also gain an understanding of issues connected to identity and cultural diversity as they relate to developments in the relationship between the health professional and the indigenous subject. Furthermore, students will complete the elective with an increased understanding of some of the underlying historical, social and cultural issues, and their relationship to health and wellbeing as defined by Indigenous people. This course includes a field trip within South Australia, during which student will interact with local Indigenous people, be exposed to Indigenous art, music and culture, and visit Indigenous health services

Units:	3
Contact:	Up to 3 hours per week
Restriction:	Available to B Health Sc, B Medicine & B Surgery students only
Assessment:	Oral presentation 10%, written tutorial assignment 30%, group      presentation 10%, final essay assignment 50%
Class number:	29423

 

Years 4-5

International Primary Health Care MSA

The discipline of international health includes the principles of primary health Care to improve the health standards of the people of the developing world. These principles are just as relevant in remote Aboriginal communities throughout Australia as they are in countries of the developing world. Content will focus on the management of population health (global overview of health, water and sanitation, community participation) and discussions of culture, gender, politics and refugee and asylum seekers will be included. Specific diseases will be presented (eg malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, etc) with the emphasis on principles not details. Students from other disciplines may also enrol in this MSA.

The relevance of this course to the developing world will interest those medical students who are:

a) interested in working in remote Indigenous Australian communities
b) returning to Asian or African countries after graduation
c) interested in becoming involved in Australian development work internationally

The objectives of International Primary Health Care are:

a) to provide an integrated overview on primary health care from a World Health Organisation (WHO) perspective
b) to increase students’ knowledge of diseases specific to the developing world
c) to reinforce the need for doctors to be culturally aware, and aware of the effect of politics on health outcomes.

The MSA will consist of a 3-week block of interactive seminars and case-based teaching in
Adelaide.

Indigenous Psychiatry

This MSA will appeal to students with an interest in Indigenous health and Psychiatry, and for students with an interest in rural and remote medicine. The supervisor, Dr Nigel Cord-Udy, is a psychiatrist who regularly visits outreach clinics in the APY Lands, Coober Pedy, Oodnadatta, Point Pearce, and East Arnhem Land. He also consuts at the Rural and Remote
Clinic at Glenside Hospital, and has a private practice in Unley.Students will visit rural and remote areas for approximately 4 days of this MSA. They will also visit urban practices with Dr Cord-Udy for another 6 days. For the remainder of the MSA (the third week) they will be required to conduct research for an essay based on their medical placement experiences. Students who are able to produce high quality work will be mentored and assisted in preparing their work for submission to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

Students should be aware that the outreach visits will expose them to “third world” conditions. They must be vaccinated for Hepatitis B and B and for Tuberculosis. They will be “roughing it”, and must understand conditions might be uncomfortable at times.

Assessment: At the completion of this MSA students will be required to submit a 2,000 word research essay, based upon their outreach experience. The essay must incorporate clinical observations with research literature. Students will be encouraged to develop these essays into publishable pieces of work, and will be asked to submit to a peer-reviewed journal, where this is feasible.

Year 6

Apart from undertaking a self-created SCAP in a developing world location, there are other opportunities to be involved with developing world health with the special year six initiatives which fit within the course structure.

Global Health option

The Global Health SCAP can be classified as either a Medicine or Primary Care SCAP. The first 3 weeks consist of specialist seminars by professionals in this area followed by possibly a 1 week placement or assignment. The 3-week teaching block will be in conjunction with the Year 4/5 Global Health MSA.

The discipline of international health includes the principles of primary health Care to improve the health standards of the people of the developing world. These principles are just as relevant in remote Aboriginal communities throughout Australia as they are in countries of the developing world. Content will focus on the management of population health (global overview of health, water and sanitation, community participation) and discussions of culture, gender, politics and refugee and asylum seekers will be included. Specific diseases will be presented (eg malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, etc) with the emphasis on principles not details. Students from other disciplines may also enrol in this MSA.

The relevance of this course to the developing world will interest those medical students who are:

a) interested in working in remote Indigenous Australian communities
b) returning to Asian or African countries after graduation
c) interested in becoming involved in Australian development work internationally

The objectives of International Primary Health Care are:

a) to provide an integrated overview on primary health care from a World Health Organisation (WHO) perspective
b) to increase students’ knowledge of diseases specific to the developing world
c) to reinforce the need for doctors to be culturally aware, and aware of the effect of politics
on health outcomes.

The MSA will consist of a 3-week block of interactive seminars and case-based teaching in
Adelaide.

Northern Territory Indigenous Health option

Opportunities exist for a small number of students interested in NT aboriginal community placements. The placements will occur in the Centre or Top End. Interested students should contact Dr Gillian Laven (SGRHS). If you are selected to do this placement it will replace your Primary Care SCAP.
Information sheet

Katherine, Northern Territory Psychiatry Option

Opportunities exist for one student to do their Psychiatry SCAP in Katherine, Northern Territory (rotation before and rotation after mid-year break only).
Katherine Placement Information
Katherine Student Information by Students

Papua New Guinea Option (Kompiam District Hospital)

The Papua New Guinea SCAP, organised by Insight (a subcommittee of the AMSS) can be classified either as a Medicine/Surgery or Primary Care SCAP.
Dr David Mills is the supervisor. Dr Mills and previous students to PNG have compiled the following documents that will be very useful for you to read:
PNG Student Placement Information by Dr Mills
Kompiam – a students perspective
Kompiam Medical Placement – Previous students
Top 10 Things About Doing a Placement in Kompiam
A fact sheet on Kompiam, PNG by Insight
Please note that you will be responsible for the cost of travel and accommodation for the PNG and India SCAPs.

India Option (Christian Medical College, Vellore)

Opportunities exist to be placed at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, India for your Primary Care SCAP.
Information sheet on Vellore, India by Insight
Please note that you will be responsible for the cost of travel and accommodation for the PNG and India SCAPs.

Aboriginal Health Rural SA

This is offered as part of the primary care SCAP. Accommodation is with the University SGRHS accommodation in Port Augusta.
Pika Wiya Health Service Inc is an Aboriginal Medical service with a community board of management. Central clinic and administration is based in Port Augusta with a clinic at the Davenport Aboriginal community and satellite clinics at Nepabunna and Copley communities. Our listed client base is over 3,000. We offer a unique Primary Health Care service which has both a clinical component and a vast range of program areas. We provide a diabetic program; antenatal women’s health; aged care service; social and emotional wel being, indigenous ear health, special needs, immunisation, a social worker, clinical screenings, hospital liaison, discharge planning service, on-call, and transport services.

Our most valued resource, and one which makes this a unique placement, are our Aboriginal health workers and staff in all departments. This is an opportunity to gain first hand some cultural knowledge and sensitivity, and to work alongside our Aboriginal staff, who will act as peers and mentors. Students will have the support of our education and training coordinator, and will have access to the service resources. A range of experiences and rotations with various program staff and other agencies is available.