| CODE | MED3011 | ||||||
| TITLE | Medicine | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 08 - Year 3 in Non-Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | Not Applicable | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Medicine | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The programme addresses basic clinical medicine, integrated with pathological and therapeutic correlates and is aimed at medical students in their early phase of clinical training. It has a multi-disciplinary approach with cooperation and input of teachers from the Departments of Medicine, Surgery, Pathology and Clinical Pharmacology. The teaching programme has the following modular structure with subject-specific coordinators for the Department of Medicine: 1. Introductory module 2. Respiratory Medicine 3. Cardiovascular studies 4. Endocrinology 5. Gastroenterology & Hepatology 6. Nephrology & Urology 7. Rheumatology & Immunology The detailed lecture programme of the Department of Medicine had its annual review and update in April 2011. In most instances it includes a description/purpose of each presentation. In several modules, the lecture programme is concluded by an informal formative assessment. A copy of this programme and its integration with the lecture programme of other Departments is readily available for consultation from the Administrative Office of the Faculty. Structure of the programme: A. teaching methods, B. assessment. A. Teaching methods. 1. Classroom-based integrated teaching sessions aimed at imparting basic principles of clinical medicine in the respective specialties. Whenever possible the sessions will be case-based, multidisciplinary and which form a theoretical underpinning for the acquisition of basic clinical skills. The programme of lecture/seminars is designed to address common clinical problems, disease processes and priorities in management. The lecture programme is not designed to be comprehensive but teaching sessions are structured as a basis and impetus for further study using up-to-date web-based information while encouraging clinical correlates observed in an actual teaching hospital setting. 2. Tutorials: aimed as acquisition of basic clinical, communication and examination skills using real patients and simulators: joint programme between Departments of Medicine and Surgery. 3. Clinical attachments: specific consultant physicians. 4. Log-book. The Department of Medicine has a proforma electronic logbook that spans the last three years of the course of studies (Appendix B). The logbook, driven by learning objectives and expected competences, gives precise details for the acquisition of clinical skills. The logbook also gives direction for a voluntary summer project to be undertaken between Years 3 and 4. B. Assessment General aim: test both presence of knowledge and its practical application. 1. Clinical examination: a formal ward-based summative/formative assessment of basic communication and clinical skills (30minutes), preceeded by an informal formative assessment (30 minutes). The Department of Medicine has precise protocols for the assessment. (Appendix C) and a copy of the signed assessment document is given to the student after publication of the result. 2. One three-hour paper divided into two sections: 1: thirty multiple-choice questions and, 2: five case-based questions addressing commonly encountered clinical scenarios. Objectives of the written examination are twofold: to assess the ability to think critically about diagnosis and management and to ensure that the candidate has a satisfactory base of factual knowledge. The examiners shall determine and document the correct answers to both sections at the time that the papers are set. The multiple-choice paper shall be marked on the ‘negative-marking’ principle, awarding one mark for every correct answer and deducting one mark for every incorrect answer. Each section has an equal weighting which is then subdivided proportionately. Study-unit Aims 1. To introduce clinical medicine and surgery to students who have already acquired proficiency in clinical anatomy, clinical physiology and general pathology. 2. To present an integrated approach involving the clinical disciplines, pathology and clinical pharmacology as a mirror of actual day-to-day clinical practice. 3. To provide guidance for the acquisition of knowledge and its application. 4. To provide an order of priority and a theoretical complement to the acquisition of clinical skills. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. discuss the theoretical aspects of diagnosis, possible complications and management options. 2. devise and discuss the rationale and practicalities of a basic management plan. 3. critically appraise published medical literature. 4. use information technology including hospital based electronic sources such as iSoft, PACS and census databases. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: Have the following specific general competences: 1. carry out a basic consultation with a patient. 2. be able to seek appropriate additional information and advice, to arrive at a working diagnosis. 3. apply scientifically reliable evidence to clinical practice. 4. access information sources and carry out an appropriate literature search. It is expected that the student will have following specific clinical competences: 1. communicate with a patient by taking a focused and structured medical history. 2. carry out a basic physical examination. 3. assess a patient’s mental status. 4. match appropriate drugs to a specific clinical context. 5. communicate with colleagues in a medical context. 6. assess psychological and social factors and the impact of illness. More specific details of learning outcomes are found in the proforma logbook of the Department of Medicine (Appendix B). Main Text/s and any supplementary readings A. Textbooks as suggested for the whole three year teaching programme in medicine: 1. Clinical Medicine. Kumar P & Clark M, Saunders, 7th Edition, 2009. 2. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. Murray Longmore, Ian Wilkinson, Edward Davidson, Alexander Foulkes, Ahmad Mafi. OUP, 8th Edition, 2010. 3. Macleod's clinical Examination. Graham Douglas, Fiona Nicol, Colin Robertson. Churchill Livingstone, 12th Edition, 2009. B. Online resources: http://emedicine.medscape.com/ |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | The examination is made up of two components, a knowledge-based written assessment and a clinical examination. Pre-requisite Qualifications: Successful progression to Year 3 of the MD Degree course of studies. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Placement and Tutorial | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Joseph M. Cacciottolo (Co-ord.) Emmanuel Farrugia Albert Fenech Carmel P. Mallia James Pocock Josanne Vassallo Mario John Vassallo |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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