Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2017-2018 (archived)

Module MEDI1016: Medicine 1

Department: Health (Medicine) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

MEDI1016: Medicine 1

Type Open Level 1 Credits 120 Availability Not available in 2017/18 Module Cap Location Queen's Campus Stockton

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • The aim of the Programme is to foster the development of a caring, knowledgeable, competent and skilful medical graduate who broadly understands health and disease of the individual, the family and society, and who is able to benefit from subsequent medical education and adapt to future developments in practice.

Content

  • • The various topic areas of the core curriculum have been divided into body systems and subject strands. Teaching is supported by a case-led approach throughout. As the student progresses from one stage to the next, new information and skills are introduced that link back to the information and skills of the previous stage. The six systems and strands in Stage 1 are as follows: • Foundation Block (FOUND - first 4½ weeks) • In this block of teaching, students are introduced to the case-led approach with cases on cystic fibrosis, infection, and ischaemic tissue damage. The purpose of this block is to provide students with a foundation in the topics in cell biology, cellular metabolism and microbiology to support study in the body systems that follow. • Cardiovascular, Respiratory & Haematological Systems (CRH) • Theme 1 Cardiovascular system • Theme 2 Respiratory system • Theme 3 Blood, blood cells, and immunity • Alimentary System (ALI) • Theme 1 Nutrition and digestion • Theme 2 Use of nutrients - metabolism and biochemistry • Musculoskeletal System (MSK) • Theme 1 Bones, joints, muscles and movement • Theme 2 Neurovascular supply to the musculoskeletal system • Theme 3 Skin and dermatomes • Personal and Professional Development / Medicine in the Community Strands (PPD/MiC) • Theme 1 Critical thinking and Reflection • Theme 2 Ethics • Theme 3 Evidence in Practice • Theme 4 Epidemiology and Public Health • Theme 5 Self-Care • Theme 6 Doctor-Patient Communication • Theme 7 The Clinical Context of Medicine • Theme 8 The Social Context of Medicine • Special Study Component (SSC) • Theme 1 C & IT • Theme 2 Library resources and on-line databases • Theme 3 Critical appraisal and literature searching • The 24 teaching and learning weeks are divided into 22 teaching weeks, one exam week and one consolidation week. The 24 weeks comprise one year long module worth 120 credits. The Medicine 1 Module comprises the Foundation block (FOUND), which occupies the first 4½ weeks, Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Haematological Systems (CRH), Alimentary System (ALI), Musculoskeletal system (MSK), Personal and Professional Development strand (PPD, Units 1 and 2), Medicine in the Community strand (MiC, Units 1 and 2), and the Special Study Component (SSC Unit 1)

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • • Students begin to develop familiarity with the scope and content of medicine. A foundation block introduces them to basic medical terminology and elementary knowledge of some of the fundamental concepts of medicine and the clinical sciences. They then move on to particular emphasis on cardiovascular, and respiratory medicine, followed by the alimentary and musculoskeletal systems. They also cover basic principles of community medicine and personal and professional development. They are introduced to the kinds of data that doctors use to support their arguments and assertions, and to the clinical method.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • • Skills introduced at level one include: • Reflective writing on medical topics • Location of appropriate medical texts and journals, extraction of necessary information and an introduction to the critical analysis of medical literature. • Initial development of observational, manual proficiency, data handling and interpretative skills, and skills in scientific method; • Elementary clinical decision making, through data handling and evidence-based activities; • Initial development of appropriate professional attitudes and reflective practice • Elementary clinical skills, including an introduction to history taking, physical examination.
Key Skills:
  • • Skills introduced at level one include: • problem-solving, numeracy and critical reasoning • elementary information skills and proficiency in the use of communications and information technology (C&IT), including transfer of information (oral, written and electronic), word processing, e-mail and use of on-line databases. • communication skills, including active listening, gathering and giving information, safeguarding confidentiality, making oral presentations and writing reports.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • • The choice of teaching and learning method is linked directly to the educational objectives. Examples of methods used for developing knowledge and understanding include: • Lectures • for the delivery of the initial information fundamental to establishing a framework on which understanding develops • Tutorials • to provide support for personal and professional development • Seminars • to provide opportunities for interaction, discussion and clarification in support of learning in selected areas of the programme • Science and Anatomy Practicals • to develop observational, manual proficiency, data handling and interpretative skills, and skills in scientific method • Case-based learning • to provide early insight into the relationship between the patient and the community, involving investigations of the case in greater depth, and exploration of the biomedical basis of the disease and its impact on the individual, their family and society • Problem-oriented learning • opportunities to develop problem-solving, numeracy, critical reasoning and clinical decision making skills through data handling and evidence-based activities • Supervised training sessions • Information Resources Centre staff to develop information skills and proficiency in the use of communications and information technology (C&IT) • Video and role play • to teach communication skills, and also to develop attitudes and promote reflective practice • Small group work • to encourage team work and involvement • Projects and placements • to develop, in a structured and guided way, the skills of co-operation, organisation and communication • Computer based learning • to promote interactive and evidence-based learning • Laboratory-based clinical skills training • training in the Clinical Skills Laboratory • Guided self-study and self-directed study • supported by relevant Study Guides, to expand knowledge and understanding through active and task-based learning • Clinical demonstrations • to provide early insight into the relationship between basic sciences and clinical practice • Interprofessional education (IPE) • The assessment instruments used in Phase I Medicine are as follows: • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), and Extended Matching Items (EMIs) are used to assess breadth and depth of core knowledge (level 1). • Data Interpretation and Problem Solving Examinations (DIPSEs) are used to assess the ability to apply knowledge, solve problems and test reasoning (level 1) • Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) are used to assess practical skills, competency and professionalism in basic clinical procedures (level 1) • In-course assignments are used to assess the critical skills of retrieval, organisation and analysis of information, reasoning, deduction, critical evaluation, written communication, acquisition of appropriate attitudes to learning, and the student’s awareness of the extent of ignorance and a tolerance of ambiguity (level 1) • Report on the Family Project, (level 1) is used to assess the ability to conduct a qualitative enquiry, the skills of written and, by proxy, verbal communication, and awareness of professional attitudinal objectives (e.g. an awareness of personal limitations, willingness to seek help). • Candidates will be summatively assessed across three assessment domains: Knowledge and Critical Thinking, Clinical and Communication Skills, and Professional Behaviour. Assessment in each of these domains will include all Level 1 material covered up to the point of assessment. Consequently, candidates will be assessed in each domain more than once during the academic year. Following marking of assignments, students are provided with detailed feedback on their performance against the marking descriptors. Following marking of the January summative examinations, students are offered feedback on their performance through the Academic Adviser system. A single cumulative grade shall be determined for each domain and validated standard setting methods will be used to determine the required level of competence (pass mark) in each domain. Students must pass all three domains in order to progress to stage 2. Assessments will be aggregated to give a final grade of Merit, Pass or Fail across the whole of Level 1.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Practical classes, practical skills (anatomy, clinical skills, lab skills, IT, skills, comm skills) 170
Tutorials 110
Self-directed learning (SDL) 230
Community Placement / Family project 190
Lectures and Case presentations 320
Assessment 180
Total 1200

Summative Assessment

Component: Medicine 1 Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Assignments SDL %
OSCE 50 minutes %
January DIPSE and MCQ 6 hours %
May DIPSE and MCQ 6 hours %

Formative Assessment:

Examples of formative assessment include: A formative written Progress examination in Stage 1, prior to the first summative Progress examination. This introduces students to the various assessment methods (MCQ/EMI and DIPSE) that they will encounter in later summative written examinations. Following marking, students are offered feedback on their performance through the Academic Adviser system. A formative Clinical Skills (OSCE) Practical examination in Stage 1 prior to the first summative Practical Progress examination. A number of formative assessment tools are used including in-class tests, TurningPoint, and interactive tests available through DUO.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University