Science Medicine Transition Program: Units of Study
Year one (Compulsory)
Communicating effectively in teams
Level: Introductory
Available: tba
Associated degrees: BSc (Advanced) MBBS and BMedSc MBBS
Credit points: 0
Alpha digit code: tba
ASCED code 060100
Information: Camperdown Campus, Normal Delivery
Attendance: 3 small group sessions of 90 minutes
Assessment: Participation in sessions. Written report.
Teaching department: Office of Teaching and Learning in Medicine
Coordinator: Associate Professor Merrilyn Walton
Year two (Compulsory)
Introduction to clinical research ethics
Level: Intermediate
Available: tba
Associated degrees: BSc (Advanced) MBBS and BMedSc MBBS
Credit points: 0
Alpha digit code: tba
ASCED code 060100
Information: Camperdown Campus, Normal Delivery
Attendance: 3 small group sessions of 90 minutes; 2 Research Ethics Committee meetings (university and hospital)
Assessment: Participation in sessions. Written report on attendance at Research Ethics Committee.
Teaching department: Office of Teaching and Learning in Medicine
Coordinator: Associate Professor Merrilyn Walton
Year three (Compulsory)
Introduction to medical ethics
Level: Senior
Available: tba
Associated degrees: BSc (Advanced) MBBS and BMedSc MBBS
Credit points: 0
Alpha digit code: tba
ASCED code 060100
Information: Camperdown Campus, Normal Delivery
Attendance: 3 small group sessions of 90 minutes.
Assessment: Participation in sessions. Written ethical case report.
Teaching department: Office of Teaching and Learning in Medicine
Coordinator: Associate Professor Merrilyn Walton
Year three (Any two of the following)
Pain Management Research
Level: Senior
Available: tba
Associated degrees: BSc (Advanced) MBBS and BMedSc MBBS
Credit points: 0
Alpha digit code: tba
ASCED code 060100
Information: The University of Sydney Pain Management Research Institute at Royal North Shore Hospital offers unique opportunities for those who have a developing interest in the field of pain medicine. Under the leadership of Professor Michael Cousins, the Pain Management Research Institute has developed into one of the largest pain centres in the world and brings together expertise in pain neuroscience (under the direction of Professor Mac Christie) as well as clinical expertise in pain medicine, with a staff of over 40 laboratory neuroscientists and over 50 clinicians and health professionals. The Institute also has its own Education Unit that runs a distance Masters degree program in pain management that is available internationally through the University of Sydney. This mix of clinical practice, research and education provides excellent opportunities for gaining further experience in the field of pain medicine and the opportunity to carry out research in this important and rapidly developing field. Research within the Institute focuses on a number of pain conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia, phantom limb pain and pain following spinal cord injury. Neuroscientists within the Unit are using wide ranging approaches such as molecular biology, in vitro electrophysiology, tract tracing and immunohistochemistry to explore pain mechanisms in the periphery, spinal cord and brain. In the clinical area, a number of projects including epidemiological studies, psychological studies, clinical trials and brain imaging are investigating the pain experience in humans. The large number of highly experienced clinicians and researchers in the Institute provides a rich environment to gain experience and carry out research in pain medicine with the ability to investigate basic mechanisms using the latest scientific techniques within a clinical context.
Assessment: Write an overview report on 2 research projects being undertaken by the Institute. One report to be of a completed project and the 2nd to be of a current project.
Teaching department: Pain Management Research Institute Discipline of Anaesthesia Northern Clinical School
Coordinator: Dr Philip Siddall
Endocrinology Research
Level: Senior
Available: tba
Associated degrees: BSc (Advanced) MBBS and BMedSc MBBS
Credit points: 0
Alpha digit code: tba
ASCED code 060100
Information: The Endocrine Institute is a highly productive, integrated clinical and research organization which combines care for endocrine patients and performance of cutting edge translational research into a range of Endocrine disorders. The group have particular experience and expertise with the management and research of Diabetes mellitus.
The group combines laboratory researchers, academic clinicians, staff specialists and Visiting Medical Officers. Activities include large ambulatory clinical services for patients with Diabetes mellitus, together with sophisticated, targeted research into this condition, and other important endocrine disorders.
Numerous opportunities exist for Science-Medicine students to be actively involved in a range of clinical and research projects within this Institute.
Assessment: Select a project and describe the main aim and methods. The report should also address the implications of the project on current and future patient care.
Teaching department: Department of Endocrinology Discipline of Medicine Central Clinical School Royal Prince Alfred Campus
Coordinator: Dr Stephen Twigg
Communications in remote and rural Australia
Level: Senior
Available: tba
Associated degrees: BSc (Advanced) MBBS and BMedSc MBBS
Credit points: 0
Alpha digit code: tba
ASCED code 060100
Information: Three week placement at the Rural Clinical School Dubbo Base Hospital.
Communication between people in remote areas of Australia and the medical facilities that are available create problems that are not present in urban centers.
This unit is designed to allow students to explore and be involved in the various alternatives provided that allow people to contact health professionals who work with the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The unit would involve a three week experience probably during a vacation break. The student would live in Dubbo during this time.
Assessment: Write a report describing the problems for patients in rural communities and some of the methods for overcoming them.
Teaching department: Rural Clinical School Dubbo Base Hospital
Coordinator: Dr Lorna McLeod
Gastrointestinal Research
Level: Senior
Available: tba
Associated degrees: BSc (Advanced) MBBS and BMedSc MBBS
Credit points: 0
Alpha digit code: tba
ASCED code 060100
Information: The Gastrointestinal Investigation Unit at RNSH undertakes patient care, research and educational activities in the field of neurogastroenterology, the most rapidly developing subspecialty area of gastrointestinal medicine. The Unit acts as the major referral service in NSW for complicated disorders of digestive tract motility and carries out the clinical investigations of oesophageal, gastric, small bowel and anorectal function testing. The research activities of the Unit in this field are recognised internationally and include studies examining the pathophysiology of the disorders of GI function such as gastro-oesophageal reflux, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and constipation. Students would be able to observe the full range of clinical procedures and research protocols undertaken and to participate in other activities of the Unit.
Assessment: Observe a range of clinical procedures and write a report describing the relationship between the problems experienced by patients and the activities of the researchers in the department.
Teaching department: Department of Gastroenterology Discipline of Medicine Northern Clinical School
Coordinator: Associate Professor John Kellow
Renal Research
Level: Senior
Available: tba
Associated degrees: BSc (Advanced) MBBS and BMedSc MBBS
Credit points: 0
Alpha digit code: tba
ASCED code 060100
Information: The Renal Research Unit within the Kolling Institute and Department of Renal Medicine at Royal North Shore Hospital has an active research interest in mechanisms of progressive diabetic nephropathy, as well as mechanisms of vascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus. Our group mainly does in vitro work using human tissue, and we collaborate closely with the Department of Medicine within the University of Melbourne for our in vivo work. The clinical research program includes investigator-driven trials such as the IDEAL Trial and the SHARP Study, and many CTN sponsored pharmaceutical trials are also underway. The clinical service offers a broad sweep of nephrological services, including dialysis and transplantation, hypertension occurring in the pregnant population, and clinical nephrology with an emphasis on renal physiology.
A talented student could be expected to attend weekly renal research meetings, where research projects and relevant journal articles are discussed, attend clinical meetings of the Department, which include quality assurance, morbidity and mortality, and regular x-ray and biopsy meetings. It is expected he/she would participate in and take ownership of a clinical research project, with the expectation that publication would emanate from this project. Depending on the time available, a student may also wish to participate in a basic research project, working with existing researchers to a defined achievable outcome.
Assessment: Write a report describing the main activities of the Department including a summary of the student learning during the placement.
Teaching department: Department of Renal Medicine Discipline of Medicine Northern Clinical School
Coordinator: Professor Carol Pollock
Bone and Joint Research
Level: Senior
Available: tba
Associated degrees: BSc (Advanced) MBBS and BMedSc MBBS
Credit points: 0
Alpha digit code: tba
ASCED code 060100
Information: The Institute of Bone and Joint Research (IBJR) is devoted to advancing knowledge and understanding of the musculoskeletal system, particularly in relation to diseases and disorders of bone, cartilage and joints. The group has particular research interests in the areas of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal diseases (disc degeneration) and has focused on the epidemiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis and methods of treating these conditions. Clinical research is presently undertaken in the Departments of Orthopaedics and Rheumatology and basic research in their associated laboratories which include the Raymond Purves Bone and Joint Research Laboratories, C. Murray Maxwell Biomechanics Laboratory and Sutton Arthritis Research Laboratories. Basic research utilises models of osteoarthritis and disc degeneration to identify the morphological, biochemical and molecular events which occur at the tissue and cellular levels in these disorders as well as a focus on inflammatory disease, especially the role of synovial/endothelial abnormalities and the immunogenetics of rheumatoid arthritis. A research program on the genetic epidemiology of various musculoskeletal diseases in twins is also being undertaken.
Assessment: Write a report describing the clinical research activities undertaken by the Institute and describe the benefits to patients and the community.
Teaching department: Institute of Bone and Joint research Discipline of Medicine Northern Clinical School
Coordinator: Professor Phillip Sambrook