Outline

Overview

The Basic Rheumatology syllabus covers the requirements of trainee physician practice. The content is focussed on diagnosis and investigation of common rheumatologic conditions and the essentials of management of these conditions. The module learning materials are linked to a library of clinical cases representing common and important rheumatologic conditions.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	INTM5003
Academic unit	Internal Medicine
Credit points	3
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Shikta Dey, abhishikta.dey@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam Multiple Choice Questions	40%	Formal exam period	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Quizzes Multiple Choice Questions	20%	Multiple weeks	60 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	PeerWise Online task	10%	Multiple weeks	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Discussion boards Forum post	10%	Multiple weeks	200 words x 5 posts
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Case report Report	20%	Week 08 Due date: 21 Apr 2024 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Discussion boards: The discussion board are a chance for you to talk about the clinical case vignettes and the learning materials with your colleagues. Each module will have a Graded Discussion Board which will open and close on the date specified in the Study Plan. Use of point form is encouraged to ensure adequate coverage of the issues in each case. All comments should be based upon relevant literature, with the use of references as much as possible.
Quizzes: The quizzes are designed to help you gauge your progress in meeting the learning outcomes and you may refer to learning materials when answering. There will be 3 quizzes, each with 10 single best answer questions. There is one attempt only and there is a time limit of 60 mins. The quizzes are open for a set period (see table above).
PeerWise: You are asked to write multiple choice questions related to the learning materials, and answer and critique questions written by your colleagues. There will be 2 cycles of PeerWise in this unit. Each cycle will cover half of the unit learning material and you can write a question on anything within the allocated modules. Write 1 single best answer question, including an explanation for why each answer is correct/incorrect
referenced appropriately. Critique 2 questions written by your peers. Answer 10 of the questions written by your peers.
Case report: In general, about 1/3 of the report should be allocated to the case report and 2/3 to discussion of the case. The report should be based on a patient you have cared for, or seen, in the course of your clinical work. The format of the case report can be as a narrative or, arranged in the manner usual for medical record documentation, with headings of; history of the presenting illness, previous medical history, social history, examination, investigations, and diagnosis.
Final exam: The final exam is a graded, fully invigilated exam conducted via Canvas with the help of an online proctor. This is known as "Live+ (Type A)" exam. You will be required to schedule your exam later in the semester. The exam will contain 30 multiple-choice questions (single best answer). The exam is "closed book", you are not permitted any materials with you for this exam.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Module 1: crystal arthritis	Online class (5 hr)
Week 02	Module 2: rheumatoid arthritis	Online class (5 hr)
Week 03	Module 2: rheumatoid arthritis	Online class (5 hr)
Week 04	Module 3: spondyloarthritis	Online class (5 hr)
Week 05	Module 3: spondyloarthritis	Online class (5 hr)
Week 06	Module 4: osteoarthritis	Online class (5 hr)
Week 07	Module 5: vasculitis and muscle disease	Online class (5 hr)
Week 08	Module 6: connective tissue disease	Online class (5 hr)
Week 09	Module 7: infective disease in rheumatology	Online class (5 hr)
Week 10	Module 8: regional rheumatology	Online class (5 hr)
Week 11	Module 8: regional rheumatology	Online class (5 hr)
Week 12	Module 9: pain	Online class (5 hr)
Week 13	Module 10: osteoporosis and others	Online class (5 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit are available on Canvas.

The texts for this course are:

The texts for this course are:
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine 21st edition, McGraw-Hill 2022
Oxford Textbook of Medicine, 6th edition, Oxford Medicine Online 2020
The textbooks for this unit of study are:
Imboden, J. B. (2021). Current diagnosis and treatment in rheumatology (4th ed.). Blacklick; New York: McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing
Hochberg, M. C. (2018). Rheumatology (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Mosby/Elsevier.
Mikuls, T. R., Cannella, A., Moore, G., O'Dell, J. R., Erickson, A. R., & Thiele, G. M. (2013). Rheumatology. London: Manson Publishing Ltd.

Further information about readings can be found on Canvas

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. recognise common patterns of presentation of rheumatologic diseases
LO2. diagnose and investigate patients presenting with these conditions
LO3. initiate management of patients presenting with these conditions
LO4. discuss patients with rheumatologic illness with colleagues.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We value your feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student of Sydney Medical School. To help ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and we ask you to complete the Mid-Semester Evaluation Survey and the unit of study Evaluation Survey at the end of the semester. Your ratings and comments are anonymous and specifying what you liked and didn’t like about any of the learning materials, assessment items, discussion forums, feedback etc will help us to target our improvement efforts. Please note that your participation in this unit of study permits de-identified information about your learning experience and interaction with learning resources to be used for the purpose of improving the student learning experience. No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

INTM5003: Basic Rheumatology

Semester 1, 2024 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect