MDSA40140 Medicine in the Community

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module is part of the MB degree programme for GEMS and undergraduate students and aims to provide students with an understanding of medicine as it is practised, and healthcare as it is delivered, in the community. Jointly delivered by the medical specialties of medicine for the elderly and general practice, this module also represents an opportunity for students to learn the principles underpinning both medical specialties. This is a clinical module with clinical placements in:

1. General Practice: a network of general practices across Ireland is affiliated with the UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science. Students will have two placements in general practice (one in the Dublin area and one in a 'satellite' area).
2. Medicine for the Elderly: specialist in-patient, residential and ambulatory services are located in two community-based care of the elderly facilities (the Royal Hospital, Donnybrook and Saint Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park). Students will have placements in both.

The module is structured around eight themes which underpin the theoretical and clinical content of the module. These include:

1. Prevention and health promotion
2. Care of patients with acute problems
3. Care of patients with chronic illness
4. Psychosocial issues
5. Continuing care / rehabilitation
6. Family care / role of the family
7. Health and healthcare in the community
8. Care of specific patient groups: e.g. the elderly, children and patients with terminal illness.

100% attendance during the module is expected, but 80% attendance is the minimum attendance required to achieve credit for the module. Absences must be approved by the module coordinator who will require supporting documentation (e.g. medical certificates). Attendance at core teaching sessions (e.g. lectures, tutorials, seminars) is mandatory. Should attendance be unsatisfactory, it is at the module coordinator's discretion to insist that the student adequately attends BEFORE taking the exam.

Professionalism:

Professionalism is integral to and will be assessed throughout the module. Any behaviour which is considered to be in breach of professional behaviour will be formally noted. This forms part of the ‘must pass’ component of the assessment.

Any behaviour which is considered to be in breach of professional behaviour as set out in the School's Statement on Fitness to Practice (in addition to the University's policy) will be formally noted.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module students should:

1. Be competent in the management of common problems which may present in primary and secondary care (medicine for the elderly).
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the multidisciplinary management of common chronic conditions in the community, in the context of Ireland's health service.
3. Be competent in the use and interpretation of functional and cognitive assessment tools.
4. Demonstrate good communication skills when dealing with patients, family members and other healthcare professionals.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the healthcare and rehabilitation services available in the community.
6. Appreciate the biological, psychological and social factors which influence illness and approach to management.
7. Demonstrate relevant clinical skills in terms of clinical reasoning, patient assessment, preparation of management plans and ongoing monitoring of health problems.
8. Understand the frameworks within which prevention and population health form important components of care in the community.

Indicative Module Content:

1. Management of common problems which may present in primary and secondary care.
2. The multidisciplinary management of common chronic conditions in the community, in the context of Ireland's health service.
3. Use and interpretation of functional and cognitive assessment tools.
4. Communication skills when dealing with patients, family members and other healthcare professionals.
5. Healthcare and rehabilitation services available in the community.
6. The biological, psychological and social factors which influence illness and approach to management.
7. Clinical reasoning, patient assessment, preparation of management plans and ongoing monitoring of health problems.
8. Prevention and population health in the community.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

14
Tutorial

15
Seminar (or Webinar)

17
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Placement/Work Experience

140
Total

226
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Small group work
Project work
Skills and simulation training
Clinical placements in General Practice and Medicine for the Elderly 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Successful completion of all aspects of Clinical 1


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Practical Examination: Objective Structured Clinical Examination (may incorporate data interpretation) Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded Yes

40
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: (Best of 5 choices; may incorporate extended matching / data interpretation questions) 1 hour End of Trimester Exam n/a Alternative non-linear conversion grade scale 50% No

30
Portfolio: Clinical portfolio includes: learning logs, individual projects (case presentation, GP case report and continuous assessment) Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Case reviews submitted for assessment will be reported on individually.

Name Role
Dr Nia Clendennen Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Walter Cullen Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Maeve Doheny Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Sinead Healy Evans Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Lorraine Kyne Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Carlotta Boselli Tutor
Dr Nicholas Breen Tutor
Professor Walter Cullen Tutor
Assoc Professor Suzanne Donnelly Tutor
Dr Celia Fernandez Tutor
Dr John Frizelle Tutor
Dr Sarah Gorey Tutor
Dr Niamh Murphy Tutor
Dr Eimear O'Reilly Tutor
Dr Pádraig Synnott Tutor