Medical School

Participation, attendance and engagement guidelines

The Medical Program Participation Guidelines have been developed to support you to engage optimally with your learning in the Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program with your wellbeing in mind. The guidelines aim to:

  1. Clarify the expectations of you as a medical student in relation to participating optimally in the MD Program while preparing for future professional practice.
  2. Outline the flexible approaches available to you to prioritise your health.
  3. Inform you about the processes in place to enable you to manage absences.

The Medical School expects you to read these guidelines carefully, and that you will take responsibility to look after your health and manage your learning in accordance with these guidelines. The School encourages you to inform relevant personnel and to seek support early as outlined in these guidelines.

  1. Overview
  2. Participation and attendance requirements
  3. Out-of-hours expectations
  4. Absence notification and documentation
  1. Implications for lack of participation, attendance and unnotified absences
  2. Transition, Orientation and Introductory Periods
  3. Student support

4. Absence notification and documentation

You are expected to notify the Medical School of any absence as soon as you are aware* that you will not be participating in Learning Experiences, by submitting an Absence Notification Form. It is also your professional responsibility to advise those affected by your absence as early as possible (for example: advising your tutors, clinical supervisors, clinical unit staff, GP practice manager and peers where necessary). You do not need to disclose the reason of your absence to those affected, but may be required to disclose to the Medical School reasons for  persistent absence and planned absence requests.

*Planned absences: Notification of planned leave should be submitted at least 2 weeks to the planned event.
Unplanned absences: Submit the Absence Notification Form in a timely fashion, and no later than 24 hours after the first day of absence.

Leave types

Participation, attendance and engagement are requirements to meet the experiential learning within the MD program.  

Planned leave requires notification at least 2 weeks in advance. Please consider if this absence is essential or if this could be taken during break weeks.  

Planned leave is not to be used to undertake Elective Placement opportunities within program teaching weeks - Optional Elective Placements - Medical School - University of Queensland. 

Unplanned leave encompasses personal leave, bereavement, carer’s and sick leave. Repeated absence, missed assessment activities AND/OR unplanned leave of 3 days or longer may require supporting evidence, such as a medical certificate. 

Irrespective of the type of leave taken, you still need to meet the participation, attendance and engagement requirements within the learning block and the course.