The Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is designed to capture and build on our graduate entrants' enthusiasm, maturity, and diversity. It features a streamlined, cohesive structure that takes an integrated approach to active learning.
The MD program is built around six key themes representing the essential roles of a well-rounded doctor:
- Safe and Effective Clinician,
- Critical Thinker, Scientist and Scholar,
- Advocate for Health Improvement,
- Dynamic Learner and Educator,
- Kind and Compassionate Professional, and
- Partner and Team Player.
As a student, you will join a 'learning community' during your first year. Each ‘learning community’ is geographically based bringing together students, academics, clinical teachers and professional staff. Learning communities provide a clinical home where students are engaged in learning from each other and are supported to flourish as they develop as a medical professional across the MD program. Developing research skills, Indigenous health and rural, remote and regional medical practice are embedded throughout and are all areas which students can choose to expand their knowledge and experience.
You will be able to build your own unique medical degree through a range of student choices and exciting enrichment opportunities. During your final semester of study, you will also benefit from a dedicated transition to practice term – this will help you make the safe and effective transition to internship/residency and to your ongoing successful medical career.
Curriculum
Year 1
Your four-year medical journey will begin with the Foundations of Medicine, learning fundamental concepts of medical sciences, clinical and professional skills including a whole of person approach and the role of the doctor and the health system.
As a first-year medical student you will:
- join a ‘learning community’,
- begin your medical studies with a four-week transition to the MD program to set you up for success, and
- have one day a week of clinically relevant experience, which includes: simulations, small group clinical coaching and hospital/community visits.
Year 2
Year 2 will enable you to develop your knowledge and skills and to continue your development as a student member of the medical profession.
As a second-year medical student you will:
- spend up to two days a week in a clinical setting,
- develop your clinical and professional skills through clinical coaching, case-based learning and longitudinal clinical placements in the community and hospital, and
- build your own unique medical degree through a scholarly choice elective.
Year 3
From year 3 onwards, you will be immersed in clinical environments – both in the hospital and the community. Your learning will be grounded in the clinical 'workplace' setting, supported by structured teaching and learning activities. The focus will be on clinical experience across the lifecourse.
As a third-year medical student you will:
- spend four days a week in clinical placements either in eight-week blocks or longitudinal clinical clerkships,
- gain hospital experience with people at all stages of life, and
- have one day a week of formal structured teaching providing core material to supplement your clinical experience.
Year 4
Your clinical immersion will continue over the two semesters of Year 4. Semester one will focus on the management of emergency and complex chronic conditions both in hospitals and in general practice. Your MD will culminate in a ‘transition to practice semester’ in year 4, where you will have the opportunity to be an active pre-intern member of a clinical team.
As a fourth-year medical student you will:
- focus on complex presentations and emergency care in hospital and community settings,
- have 20% structured learning, 80% clinical exposure in Semester 1, then 10% structured learning, and 90% clinical exposure in Semester 2, and
- be an active member of healthcare teams as a pre-intern.