Skip to main content
Unit of study_

MDMP5511: Medical General Foundation Knowledge 1

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Upon completion of this module, students will have gained knowledge and clinical skills to understand the normal to abnormal spectrum of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Musculoskeletal/Immunology, Endocrine Health; with particular focus on 1) the processes responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis in the human body, 2) the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and natural history of common diseases, 3) investigations that can aid in diagnosis, and 4) pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options and prevention strategies to manage common diseases. Each system is covered over 4-weeks duration and the content incorporates themes relevant to the topic, including Basic and Clinical Sciences, Clinical Skills, Therapeutics and Diagnostics, Population Health, Ethics Law and Professionalism, Interprofessional Teamwork and Indigenous Health. Learning will be based on authentic clinical scenarios using team-based learning, with integration of core biomedical sciences including anatomy, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology and physiology. This will ensure a sound biomedical foundation for clinical learning in Year 2 and beyond. One day per week will be reserved for flexible learning. With the increasing utilisation of the �flipped classroom� approach, students will have time to independently review online material. Students will spend one-day per week at their clinical schools learning foundation clinical skills in history, examination and procedural skills with a mixture of supervised clinical experience, simulation and near-peer teaching.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MDMP5511
Academic unit
Credit points 24
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Foundational Knowledge in Anatomy, Physiology and Biology

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Kellie Charles, kellie.charles@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) David Bowen, david.bowen@sydney.edu.au
Stuart Lane, stuart.lane@sydney.edu.au
Jane Young, jane.young@sydney.edu.au
Kellie Charles, kellie.charles@sydney.edu.au
Rosa Howard, rosa.howard@sydney.edu.au
Christopher Roberts, christopher.roberts@sydney.edu.au
Deborah O'Mara, deborah.omara@sydney.edu.au
Peter James Malouf, peter.malouf@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment ELP reflective task 2
ELP Reflective statement
0% -
Due date: 12 Jun 2020 at 23:59
300 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO13 LO17
In-semester test Knowledge and application test 2
Written assessment
0% Formal exam period
Due date: 26 Jun 2020 at 23:59
120 minutes
In-semester test Knowledge and application test 1
Written assessment
0% Mid-semester break
Due date: 17 Apr 2020 at 23:59
120 minutes
Small test L-plate test
Ethics assessment
0% Week 01
Due date: 26 Apr 2020 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO17 LO13
Assignment ELP reflective task 1
ELP reflective statement
0% Week 02
Due date: 06 Mar 2020 at 23:59
300 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO17 LO13
Online task Online foundational course knowledge test
Written assessment, online
0% Week 03
Due date: 13 Mar 2020 at 16:48
60 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO19 LO18 LO12 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation Mini-clinical examination 1
Clinical skills assessment
0% Week 03
Due date: 03 May 2020 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation Procedural skills assessment 1
Procedural skills assessment
0% Week 03
Due date: 03 May 2020 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO19 LO18 LO12 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Inter-professional learning reflective statement
Peer-to-peer marking
0% Week 05
Due date: 26 Apr 2020 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO20
Skills-based evaluation Mini-clinical examination 2
Clinical skills assessment
0% Week 07
Due date: 22 May 2020 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Situational judgement test
In class professionalism assessment task
0% Week 11
Due date: 15 May 2020 at 23:59
60 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO17 LO13
Skills-based evaluation Mini-clinical examination 3
Clinical skills assessment
0% Week 12
Due date: 27 May 2020 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation Procedural skills assessment 2
Procedural skills assessment
0% Week 12
Due date: 22 May 2020 at 23:59
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Personal development plan
Personal development plan
0% Week 12
Due date: 22 May 2020 at 23:59
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO17 LO13
Tutorial quiz Population health quizzes
Quiz
0% Weekly 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO12 LO11 LO10 LO9
Tutorial quiz IRATs (prior to TBLs)
Quiz
0% Weekly 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Participation Class Attendance
0% Weekly Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Programmatic Assessment is used in the Sydney MD Program that involves a program of assessment, standard setting, attendance,  professionalism and conduct, Learning Advisor meetings and opportunities for remediation.

The assessments will be included in a Programmatic Assessment Portfolio that will be integrated across the 8 vertical themes:

1) Basic and Clinical Sciences
2) Clinical Skills

3) Diagnostics and Therapeutics
4) Population health
5) Indigenous Health
6) Ethics, Law and Professionalism
7) Inter-professional Learning and Teamwork
8) Research, Evidence and Informatics

The expected standard for each assessment must be met and will be outlined in the Year 1 Assessment Handbook 2020 on Canvas. Decisions regarding the expected standard for each individual assessment will be based on a) a modified Cohen method of standard setting for knowledge-based assessments and b) competency levels defined by rubrics for written submissions and skill-based clinical assessment.

A Portfolio Committee will meet at least twice yearly to evaluate student performance in the programmatic assessment, based on:

  • Programmatic Assessment Portfolio 
  • Learning Advisor reports
  • Attendance, professionalism and conduct reports (including late submissions and communication problems/ issues)

The Portfolio Committee will determine a Remediation Plan for students who have not met the expected standard. The Remediation Plan will include the expected standard to be achieved and due date for completion.

The Portfolio Committee will decide whether the requirements for both Units of Study have been met and eligibility for progression at the end of the Year after the completion of both MDMP5511- Medical General Knowledge 1 and MDMP5512- Medical General Knowledge 2.

The Portfolio Committee may require students who have not met the standard for any assessment or the requirements of their Remediation Plan to undertake further assessment. Their performance in this further assessment will be considered with all other information from the Programmatic Assessment Portfolio in making a decision about eligibility to pass the two Year 1 Units of Study and progress to Year 2.

Please Note: Supplementary assessments are NOT offered in the Sydney Medical Program.

Assessment criteria

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

The Sydney Medical Program awards by grade only: the grade should be either Satisfied Requirements (SR) or Failed Requirements (FR).

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
- Inter-professional learning and teamwork activity on system-based healthcare Workshop (3 hr) LO20
Multiple weeks Ecology and prevention strategies relating to the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal/immunology, endocrine diseases in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities Forum (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 LO14 LO15 LO16 LO17 LO18 LO20
Ongoing Ethics, law and professional aspects of the medical practice Forum (3 hr) LO3 LO13 LO17 LO20
Weekly Basic and clinical sciences of cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal/immunology, endocrine systems Online class (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO20
Basic and clinical sciences of cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal/immunology, endocrine systems Seminar (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO20
Basic and clinical sciences of cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal/immunology, endocrine systems Practical (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO20
Clinical skills (history, examination, communication, procedural skills) of the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal/immunology, endocrine systems Clinical practice (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO20
Investigations and therapeutic treatment strategies for the diagnosis and management, respectively, of the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal/immunology, endocrine system Seminar (2 hr) LO6 LO18 LO19 LO20
Population health principles of the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal/immunology, endocrine systems Seminar (3 hr) LO3 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12 LO20

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance requirements will be monitored and tracked in the integrated portfolio-based assessment. All attendance requirements are described in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Attendance Provisions (2019). Please check the Canvas site for this unit for a copy of the provisions document. As per Clause 5 of the Progression Rules in the MD Regulations 2020, candidates who do not meet the attendance requirements of each year will need an approval from the Director of Sydney Medical Program and/or the relevant Portfolio Committee to continue their candidature.

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 24 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 480-600 hours of student effort in total.

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.

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

  • LO1. describe the normal development, anatomy, biochemistry and physiology of human structure and function in the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal and endocrine systems throughout the life continuum to understand the normal status of homeostasis
  • LO2. outline the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and natural history of common diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal and endocrine system from birth to end of life to develop clinical reasoning skills
  • LO3. describe the roles of individuals, groups, organizations and communities to promote healthy human development, including screening of early detection of disease (social behavioural sciences)
  • LO4. identify the deficiencies in their biomedical science knowledge and use relevant learning resources, including discussion with experts in the field, to address any gaps in knowledge
  • LO5. obtain an accurate and structured basic medical history and perform a systematic examination of healthy adults (or patients where appropriate) in simulated or clinical environments
  • LO6. identify, select and interpret appropriate investigations of the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal and endocrine systems to identify significant abnormalities in results and describe principles of management
  • LO7. perform basic clinical procedures relevant to the cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal and endocrine systems on simulated patients/models or healthy adults to develop practical clinical skills
  • LO8. outline the importance and principles behind patient-centred care to prepare for best clinical practice and patient safety
  • LO9. identify high-quality evidence from the available literature and integrate this evidence with health informatics and biological mechanisms to formulate and solve theoretical clinical cases
  • LO10. describe the social, cultural, historical and political context of population health to identify systemic issues that impact health and the provision of effective healthcare locally and globally
  • LO11. apply basic epidemiological principles and interpret data to measure and monitor the health status of individuals and populations (surveillance)
  • LO12. demonstrate methods of assessing the cost-effectiveness, sustainability and impact of medical interventions and prevention programs implemented by organisations or individuals (evaluation)
  • LO13. reflect on the role of the doctor as an advocate or activist for the health of individuals or communities they serve and critique examples of health promotion, advocacy and activism (health promotion)
  • LO14. acquire and acknowledge the cultures, experiences, strengths and health needs of indigenous individuals and communities to address indigenous health challenges in a holistic manner
  • LO15. build informed critical thinking skills to identify strengths and health needs of indigenous individuals and communities through active listening and collaboration with the patient, family, community to co-produce improved health care outcomes
  • LO16. acquire insight into the professional behaviours (e.g. empathy, social awareness, integrity, humility, curiosity, equity and open-mindedness) required for future engagement inpatient and community-centred, team-based healthcare in an indigenous healthcare context
  • LO17. recognise the theoretical principles and practical implications of Ethics Law and Professionalism (ELP) for the provision of high-quality professional and equitable health care
  • LO18. explain the mechanistic rationale for the choice of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options of cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, endocrine diseases determined by the clinical condition, local or national evidence-based guidelines and patient preference
  • LO19. describe the pharmacological, metabolic and immunological basis to build knowledge of drug action, drug interactions and adverse drug reactions of cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, endocrine drugs
  • LO20. engage, collaborate and communicate effectively, provide and receive constructive feedback in a respectful manner with all team members to develop a high standard of inter-professional behaviours.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

This is the first year of the new MD program. Changes in the weekly structure and content delivery have been the major changes to the program and are based on previous MD student cohort’s feedback in the Block University Student Surveys (USS), student feedback sessions and end of year survey and also changes in medical education globally. We have also split foundation years 1 and 2 in the previous program into a foundational year where all systems are taught and then clinical extension will be delivered in a clinical immersion year predominantly taught in the clinical schools. We have moved to the “flipped” model for the new MD program which will require students to prepare by watching 50% content online in small 10-15min videos before attending and participating in a variety of interactive forums, workshops and practical sessions to review, extend and integrate your knowledge in the relevant themes. Early clinical skills training remains integral to the program and will be integrated with the disease focus on the week. The team-based learning session will be the capstone of the week and allow students integrate all of the content and skills acquired during the week to work through in small teams on authentic cases. These sessions are facilitated by clinical and scientific experts in the relevant fields.
  • Assessment grading​: At the end of Semester 1, students will receive a grade of UC – Unit of study continuing, which will be finalised at the end of the year where students will receive one of the following grades for both year 1 units of study; Satisfied requirements (SR), Failed requirements no mark (FR) or another non-completion grade as per Schedule 1 of the Coursework Policy 2014.
  • Educational integrity: While the University is aware that the vast majority of students and staff act ethically and honestly, it is opposed to and will not tolerate academic dishonesty or plagiarism and will treat all allegations of dishonesty seriously.
    All written assignments submitted in this unit of study will be submitted to the similarity detecting software program known as Turnitin. Turnitin searches for matches between text in a student’s written assessment task and text sourced from the Internet, published works and assignments that have previously been submitted to Turnitin. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism the student’s work will be reported for further investigation. 
    Further information on academic honesty and the resources available to all students can be found on the Academic Integrity page of the current students’ website: sydney.edu.au/educational-integrity

Site visit guidelines

Clinical training is a compulsory aspect of this course. Clinical skills will be taught weekly at the Clinical Schools and attendance is compulsory. All guidelines for these weekly activities will be according to Clinical School regulations.

Work, health and safety

Students will be required to provide a current approved First Aid Certificate and meet Clinical Compliance requirements.

Please also review the document “Inherent Requirements for Courses in Medicine” available on Canvas.

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.