Foundations of Medicine 1 unit (CAM101)

Introduction

This foundations unit will give students a framework on which to base their undergraduate medical studies. This includes the structural and functional organisation of the human body, beginning with the study of biomolecules and cells, the classification and types of human tissues and their functions, and an introduction to the organ systems. This unit explores the normal constitution and function of the integumentary system (skin) and immune system and introduces microbiology and pathology including cellular responses to stress, injury, inflammation, healing, ageing and neoplasia. Students will learn and develop communication skills for medical practice. Students will learn how health, wellbeing, and illness are understood and experienced across different social contexts and cultures, by Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples including Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples. Students will be introduced to public health research methods, as well as the Australian health system and the role of the medical professional as an advocate for social justice. This unit explores the roles that a medical practitioner plays in the Australian health system and the wider Australian community, including principles of ethics, professionalism and leadership. Students will learn how to practice self-care and acquire and develop the skills needed to engage in an active learning environment, including scoping, locating, synthesizing, managing and using information, including scholarly research evidence. In order for students to undertake Professional Experience Placements (PEPs), there are mandatory requirements to be completed before students can enter a PEP venue. These are outlined in the Safety in Practice Agreement (https://www.utas.edu.au/health/professional-experience-placement/safety-in-practice-requirements). The Safety in Practice Disclosures section requires the student to establish, with the University, their capacity to perform the mandatory functional requirements of the course in which they are enrolled. The Safety in Practice Agreement also requires the student to comply with the UTAS Behaviour Policy, agree to undertake a police (criminal record) check, working with vulnerable persons registration and provide evidence of their immunisation/vaccination status. Students enrolled in the Tasmanian School of Medicine are required to comply with these requirements prior to the allocation of, and participation in, professional experience placements (which includes community engagement activities) and clinical rotations in health care settings. Students who do not comply will not be placed or will be removed from placements and therefore will not meet the requirements of the unit. Further information is available at the College of Health and Medicine PEP website: http://www.utas.edu.au/health/professional-experience-placement Students who are unsure of the procedural guidelines should seek guidance from the School of Medicine. 

Summary

Unit name	Foundations of Medicine 1
Unit code	CAM101
Credit points	50
College/School	Health School of Medicine
Discipline	Medicine
Coordinator	Doctor Ben Dodds
Available as an elective?	No
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

• Describe core scientific knowledge and methods underpinning the practice of medicine, with a focus on cellular and selected pathological processes and the structure and function of the integumentary, immune, musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
• Discuss and interpret scholarly research evidence in medical practice.
• Using the Calgary-Cambridge framework, take a simple medical history from a patient, and summarise and report this information to a health professional.
• Describe and demonstrate effective listening skills and communication with a patient.
• Describe and perform a clinical examination of the limbs.
• Describe how health and wellbeing are constructed in society.
• Discuss the determinants of health and wellbeing in socially and culturally diverse populations and settings in the context of the Australian health system.
• Explain the principles and values of ethics, professionalism, leadership and self-care in medical practice.
• Demonstrate respectful relationships and undertake self-reflection as a medical student.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Admission to H3X

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Online asynchronous modules 10 hours weekly; Rural week activities; Self-directed independent study 18 hours weekly; Face-to-face practicals, tutorials, workshops, keynotes, etc. 10 hours weekly
Assessment	Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Workshop|Clinical skills assessment|Professional Portfolio|Rural Week Program|Two MCQ/EMQ quizzes (4%)|Ethics, Professionalism and Leadership Domain Reflective Assignment 1 (5%)|Health and Society Domain Assignment 1 (5%)|Exam Paper 1 (13%)|Exam Paper 2 (13%)|60% of the weighting for CAM101/102 is undertaken in Semester 2 (60%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings and other resources will be provided through MyLO.
Recommended	You can access the reading list for this unit from the link in MyLO or by going directly to the reading lists page on the University Library website.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.