Curriculum

The School takes a different approach to clinical training from city hospitals, developing an innovative approach which caters to student needs and encompasses modern health issues. It offers an integrated teaching program where students work closely with several patients, following them through their treatment and closely observing and participating in total patient care, and gaining a holistic view of medicine. The Year 5 curriculum in paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry and community medicine is integrated into two semesters rather than distinct terms. This allows students to be attached to, for instance, a woman in the late stages of pregnancy, to follow her through the delivery and see how the baby progresses over its first few months. The School also offers short term placements for Sydney based students in Year 6.

As well as clinical training in state-of-the-art hospitals and specialist facilities, students have “integration” tutorials at which they present details of the patients they have seen. Their discussions are assisted by tutors who help them to gauge the depth of learning required, and to appreciate the breadth of issues raised by their case presentation. Student-driven programs, presentations and tutorials provide students with deeper understanding and knowledge of disease. Well qualified and experienced teachers drawn from the ranks of local GPs and specialists provide enthusiastic and professional support to students.

Each UNSW Rural Clinical School campus has a Academic Management Committee (AMC) that is responsible for its curriculm development. The AMC is the final common pathway for implementing the curriculum. The membership of the AMC comprises representatives from hospital specialty disciplines (including Surgery, Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Psychiatry), the Campus Co-ordinator, and the Administration Officer with a UNSW staff member as the chair.