University of Tasmania, Australia

A learning experience for students to develop an understanding of child health and disease within a family environment

An invitation to participate in the training of doctors who really understand children and families

What is it?

The Kids and Families Program is an important part of the training of medical students (trainee doctors) at The University of Tasmania. It introduces students to normal childhood and the importance of the family. It is the first long-term professional relationship that medical students have.

Students follow the progress of a child over a 2½ year period. They do this through visits to a family, along with a series of online tutorials and seminars.

What is involved for you?

The Kids and Families Program begins by introducing a pair of first year medical students to a family that is about to have a baby, and who live in the Hobart metropolitan area.

Students will visit your family at home, at a time that is convenient to you, and will follow the progress of your child during the next 2½ years.

Visits will take about 1 hour. There will be approximately 3 visits in the first year, 4 visits in the second year and 3 visits in the third year of the program.

During their visits, students will ask you about the development of your child and seek your family's perspective about various health care issues. They will also ask you about topics such as feeding, growth, relationships in the family, parenting, accidents, changes in behaviour, child care, emotional support and other related topics.

Students will benefit greatly from your experiences as a parent.

Why is it important?

The Kids and Families Program is a very important part of the medical course.

Rather than concentrating upon disease, this program emphasises the normal development of a child. It teaches concepts of preventative health, ranges of normal behaviour, and the special relationships and responsibilities that a doctor has.

The Kids and Families Program motivates students by allowing them to see the relevance of the other learning that they do within the university. The program emphasises the importance of a whole person, rather than disease based approach to health care.

In addition, the program gives students a good understanding of family health care issues and normal childhood, an essential element of effective health care for children.

Thank you for agreeing to participate in the Kids and Families Program (KFP). We believe our students will learn a lot from your family about children, families, and the roles and responsibilities of being a doctor. The KFP gives medical students a unique chance to observe and learn from 'real' families and their children. Families have a fundamental influence on both children and parents. The KFP aims to educate medical students through firsthand experience of child, family and community health issues. We believe that medical students will be better prepared to deal with these issues when they become doctors if they come across them during the early years of their training.

The guidelines below are to help you during your involvement with the KFP:

1. Your involvement is voluntary and you may withdraw from the KFP at any time.
2. Students are visiting your family to learn about issues associated with children, families and health. They are there to observe, ask questions and learn.
3. To help you and the students to have a common understanding about their learning obligations we ask you to read and sign the KFP learning agreement. The learning agreement is not a legal contract.
4. Students know they need to respect your privacy and safeguard your confidentiality. Students are advised not to record any information that will identify you or your family.
5. Due to any unforseen circumstances it is possible that visits may need to be cancelled or changed. Students will contact you in advance if this happens. In return, please contact students if you cannot keep an appointment or are running late.
6. Students are NOT allowed to give medical advice. If you have an issue of a medical nature you should contact your General Practitioner or your usual health care professional for advice.
7. Students will ask you lots of questions. Please DO NOT discuss subjects that cause you distress. DO let your students know if they ask a question you do not wish to answer.
8. It is possible that a student's question may trigger unexpected reactions and emotions. If members of your family wish to seek assistance with this they should seek assistance in the usual way by contacting their General Practitioner or usual health care professional.
9. Please notify your students if you do plan to change your address or telephone number.
10. If difficulties arise please contact Sarah Downey who will be happy to assist you.

Thank you. We hope your involvement with the program is both a rewarding and pleasant experience.

Program Coordinator

Dr Marianne Catchpole, MBBS, FRACGP, GradDipFamMed (Monash)

Ph: 6226 4701

Program Administrator

KFP Administrative Officer

Ph: 6226 7792