THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Edinburgh Medical School : MBChB

Undergraduate Course: Year 6 - Preparation for Practice (MBCH11010)

Course Outline
SchoolEdinburgh Medical School CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Year 6 Undergraduate)
Course typePlacement AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits180 ECTS Credits90
SummaryDuring Year 6 - Preparation for Practice students will become accustomed to assisting a doctor in a clinic or surgery, a ward, or operating theatre, and will become a valued member of the health-care team. By the end of the year students will be ready to be a Foundation Doctor.

The year is organised into four blocks each of 5 weeks followed by Finals Exams and then a further 10 weeks for the Assistantship and Elective. There are vacations in semester 1 and 2.

The attachments during Preparation for Practice are broad-based in medicine, surgery and primary care, and students will consolidate and expand their abilities to manage patients presenting with symptoms in any system, including emergencies.

The elective period forming Student Selected Component 6 offers an opportunity for special study elsewhere.

During the student assistantship students will gain direct experience of working as a doctor by undertaking an apprenticeship alongside a Foundation doctor.

There are opportunities for formative feedback throughout the Course.

The Final Exams comprise written and practical during February/March. In addition students are required to take formative progress tests, submit portfolio items, and complete the Assistantship satisfactorily. Students are expected to demonstrate a professional approach to their studies and conduct.
Course description The Modules include Medicine, General Practice, Medicine of the Elderly, Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Anaesthetics, Critical Care, Assistantship and Student Selected Component 6 (medical elective).

The teaching and learning experiences are varied and include: lectures, large group interactive plenaries, small group tutorials, directed reading using a range of materials including online lectures and computer based learning packages, resuscitation, clinical skills and communication workshops, clinical teaching in GP surgeries, clinics, wards, operating theatres, imaging and investigative labs.

Throughout Year 6 students are expected and encouraged to adopt an apprenticeship role under supervision, as much as possible. There are many opportunities to get involved in the care of patients though students must be proactive to make the most of them. There is support and guidance in the form of learning outcomes and core content as usual. In addition the learning activities for each module, such as clerking patients and completing feedback postcards indicate what is required to ensure students are competent at FY1 level by the time of graduation. There are few lectures and tutorials in Year 6, other than 'bedside' teaching, but there will be guided reading and many online resources. The portfolio reports continue to encourage students to explore patients' needs in depth and to synthesise and summarise these needs and clinical management succinctly to colleagues. At the end of modules tutors review evidence of performance (e.g. Direct Observations and in course assessments) with students and provide additional written and verbal narrative comments on general progress, with suggestions for developments.

During the Assistantship students are expected to undertake the tasks of the FY1 doctor under close supervision, to help them transfer their learning to everyday clinical practice and to gain confidence before starting work as FY1 doctors. The SSC 6 (Elective) gives students an opportunity to travel and explore clinical practice in another part of the country or the world. Students are reminded not to take on tasks beyond their competence, but the exact experiences and practical work will vary depending where they choose to go.

There are many other opportunities for feedback, described below. Students are expected to reflect on this feedback, discuss it with their Undergraduate Supervisors (or the Year Director) and use it to further direct and regulate their own learning.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Full Year
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 1800 ( Other Study Hours 579, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 36, Placement Study Abroad Hours 750, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 435 )
Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) Other Study Hours: those not specified elsewhere.
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 50 %, Coursework 0 %, Practical Exam 50 %
Additional Information (Assessment) The assessment details below are split into summative assessment (assessments which must be undertaken and passed), formative assessments (opportunities for students to undertake assessment purely to gauge progress and gain feedback), and details of the professionalism requirements which all Year 6 students are expected to achieve. As professionalism is a compulsory part of the MBChB programme, these requirements are also additionally captured with the summative assessment section.

Assessment Weightings for Year 6:

The overall year mark is achieved by the following weightings:
Applied Clinical Knowledge Test (ACKT): 50%
Clinical Practice Examination (CPE): 50%
Feedback All Year 6 students have the opportunity to undertake two formative Knowledge Tests in Year 6. The first will be undertaken online, and the second will be undertaken in a computing lab. Students do not need to pass either of these Knowledge Tests, though attendance at the lab-based Knowledge Test is compulsory.

Students are provided with feedback during the Direct Observations sessions on the wards.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Outwith Standard Exam Diets JanuaryACKT Paper 12:20
Outwith Standard Exam Diets JanuaryACKT Paper 22:20
Outwith Standard Exam Diets MayACKT Paper 1 Resit2:20
Outwith Standard Exam Diets MayACKT Paper 2 Resit2:20
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. as a scholar and scientist, apply the principles, methods and knowledge of the relevant disciplines of academic study to medical practice, and take a scholarly and scientific approach to medical research and to improving patient care and health service delivery. More specifically: 1. Biomedical Sciences (BMS) apply to medical practice the biomedical scientific principles, method and knowledge relating to relevant sciences including anatomy, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, nutrition, pathology and physiology. 2. Psychological Aspects of Medicine (PAM) recognise and assess important psychological and behavioural aspects of health, illness and disease; and respond appropriately to these aspects, using strategies such as explanation, advice and reassurance to address them. 3. Social Sciences and Public Health (SSPH) implement, at a clinical level, knowledge of how to understand the experience of illness and illness behaviour; to prevent disease, prolong life and promote health through the organised efforts of society; and demonstrate understanding of how to analyse a population's health problems, establish the causes and effects of these problems and assist appropriately in implementing effective solutions. 4. Evidence-Based Medicine and Research (EBM&R) use the best available medical evidence, found through a systematic search and appraisal of the relevant information sources, to inform clinical decisions; and develop new knowledge or personal understanding through the application of basic research methods and skills.
  2. as a practitioner, undertake initial assessment, management, review and ongoing care of patients safely, under supervision proportionate to the clinical situation, and seeking help from colleagues appropriately. More specifically: 5. The Consultation (TC) undertake an effective and efficient consultation that is sensitive to the needs of the patient. 6. Presentation, Diagnosis and Management (PDM) describe the modes of presentation and natural history of diseases, recognise and interpret the signs and symptoms with which people present to doctors, construct a differential diagnosis, and choose appropriate methods to investigate, treat and care for patients in a multi-professional setting. 7. Clinical Communication (CC) communicate clearly, sensitively and effectively with patients and their relatives, and with colleagues from the medical and other professions. 8. Emergency Care, Clinical and Resuscitation Skills (ECCARS) recognise and systematically assess acutely unwell patients and institute immediate management, including first aid and resuscitation, and perform a range of clinical skills and procedures safely and effectively. 9. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (CPT) describe how drugs act and apply this knowledge to clinical practice to prescribe clearly and accurately, to match appropriate drugs to the clinical context, to review the appropriateness of medication and to evaluate the potential benefits and risks. 10. Medical Informatics (MI) use computers, computing, information and information technology effectively in a medical context; and work effectively within the legal and professional constraints that relate to person-identifiable information.
  3. as a professional, take a reflective and self-directed approach to the study and practice of medicine, demonstrate professional judgment and adherence to the ethical, professional and legal responsibilities of a junior doctor in everyday practice, work in a multi-professional team, teach others, and continuously enhance patient care whilst paying attention to personal health, wellbeing and professional development. More specifically: 11. Medical Ethics, Legal And Professional Responsibilities (MELPR) practise medicine within an ethical framework, with insight and compassion, according to the legal requirements and professional expectations of medical practice in the UK. 12. Personal Professional Development (PPD) take a reflective and self-directed approach to the ongoing study and practice of medicine, work effectively in a team, and develop others' learning in order to enhance safe patient care, maximise effectiveness and enjoy career satisfaction.
Learning Resources
Information is given on the virtual learning environment, Learn, to guide students to a range of learning resources that include online lectures, computer based learning packages, quizzes, reading, and videos (of clinical skills, practical procedures and other content). Recommended reading is via the Year 6 Resource List.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES, PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Throughout the MBChB programme, the curriculum offers challenging opportunities and support to ensure all successful students develop the University graduate attributes of Enquiry and Lifelong Learning, Aspiration and Personal Development, and Outlook and Engagement.

More specifically the list below describes how the Preparation for Practice Course Learning Outcomes map to the 4 sets of Graduate Attributes and Skills, Knowledge and Understanding and Technical/Practical Skills.

Knowledge and Understanding.
The successful student completing this Course will apply to clinical practice, research and teaching their extensive knowledge and understanding described within the following themes:

Biomedical Sciences
Psychological Aspects of Medicine
Social Sciences and Public Health
Presentation, Diagnosis and Management
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Medical Ethics, Legal and Professional Responsibilities


Graduate attributes: Skills and abilities in Research and Enquiry.
The successful student completing this Course will apply to clinical practice, research and teaching, the skills and attributes described within the following themes:

Evidence-Based Medicine and Research
Medical Informatics
Personal Professional Development


Graduate attributes: Skills and abilities in Personal and Intellectual Autonomy.
The successful student completing this Course will demonstrate socially-responsible independent thinking and take responsibility for their own actions through the application of skills and attributes described within the following themes:

Medical Ethics, Legal And Professional Responsibilities
Personal Professional Development


Graduate attributes: Skills and abilities in Communication.
The successful student completing this Course will use a range of communication skills in common clinical settings described within the following themes:

The Consultation
Clinical Communication
Medical Informatics


Graduate attributes: Skills and abilities in Personal Effectiveness.
The successful student completing this Course will be reflective and self-regulating, preparing for high levels of professional achievement and able to work well with others as described within the following theme:

Personal Professional Development (PPD)


Technical / practical skills.
The successful student completing this Course will have the skills and technical abilities to permit them to function as a Foundation Doctor and postgraduate learner as described within the following themes:

The Consultation
Emergency Care, Clinical and Resuscitation Skills
Clinical Pharmacology
Therapeutics
Medical Informatics
KeywordsMedicine,Elderly,Emergency,GP,Surgery,Anaes,Critical,Elective,SSC,Assistantship
Contacts
Course organiserDr Alix Rolfe
Tel: (0131 6)51 4362
Email: Alix.Rolfe@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Jamie Cutt
Tel: (0131)242 6529
Email: jamie.cutt@ed.ac.uk
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