Curriculum Planning Workshop 7
Phase 3: Developing Essential Research Skills for the Delivery of Optimal Health Care
The seventh curriculum workshop in the MD Development process examined the Phase 3 program in which it is planned that students will complete a research project over the first six months of the fourth and final year for the course.
Workshop participants were provided with a selection of prereading materials one week prior to the workshop.
Participants were all members of one (or more) of the five curriculum committees coordinating the current MBBS program (Biomedical Science, Clinical Science, Health Practice, Advanced Medical Science (AMS) and Medical Course Committees) and/or members of the Melbourne Medical School Executive. In addition three clinicians from each of the four clinical schools were invited to participate.
The workshop began with a presentation from A/Prof Stephen Farish outlining the role of intercalated research programs in medical courses locally and around the world, and examining the performance of the Advanced Medical Science (AMS) year in the current course. Prof Geoff McColl then presented a Phase 3 model for discussion and development by the workshop.
Workshop participants worked in small groups to consider the nature and viability of a six month research project, the role of coursework in the program, the utility of grouping students and the nature and reliability of assessment.
Participants then reconvened and each group presented the results of their discussions.
A summary report of the workshop is now availble.
