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Joint Medical Program (JMP) is a two stage five year program comprising of a Bachelor of Medical Science (stage one) and Doctor of Medicine (stage two), offered jointly in partnership by the University of Newcastle and the University of New England.
The program consists of three phases across the five years where stage one comprises of Phase 1 and 2. Phase 1 focuses on the biomedical, behavioural and social sciences and is taught through problem based learning. In problem based learning tutorials, students learn about the body systems such as the cardiac and respiratory systems using clinical presentations as a trigger to guide the learning. The tutorials are supported by sessions in the laboratory, lectures from biomedical scientists or clinicians, and practical clinical skills teaching. During Phase 1, students will be introduced to the clinical environment with clinical placements in the hospital, nursing homes and general practice to practice history taking and clinical examinations.
Phase 2 is one year in duration and consists of clinical placements in medicine and surgery in hospital and general practice/community-based care. Case-based learning replaces the problem based learning tutorial from Phase 1 and builds on the foundational knowledge of Phase 1 with clinical cases being the trigger to guide the learning. During Phase 2, students will consolidate their research method skills and develop a research project proposal for a project that will be completed in stage 2 (Phase 3).
Phase 3 is clinically orientated where students rotate through clinical placements, undertake a Student Selected Pathway and complete a Structured Reflective Option. In Year 4, students complete placements in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Medicine and Psychiatry. Year 5 is termed a pre-internship year which is designed to prepare students for internship. The clinical placements are in Surgery, Medicine, Critical Care and Trauma, and General Practice. During Year 4, students will consolidate their research method skills and complete the project proposed in Stage One (Year 3). The Student Selected Pathway is an opportunity for students to explore special interest areas within the broad categories of: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples health; Global Health; Health Professional Education; Laboratory Medicine; and Rural Health. Time is allocated in Year 4 for course and preparatory work in Year 4 for the experience in Year 5. The Structured Reflective Option is an opportunity to explore other areas of interest and/or to consolidate knowledge and skills. This is available in Year 4.
On completion of stage one, students will have completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Medical Science. On completion of Stage Two, students will have completed the requirements for the Doctor of Medicine. To graduate from the Joint Medical Program, students must complete both stage one and two. The Bachelor of Medical Science and the Doctor of Medicine will be awarded on a single testamur on completion of stage two.
This is an approved Student Income Support course. Eligible students may apply for Youth Allowance or Austudy.