CAM 101: The First Year
Her take on What to Expect and How to Tackle UTAS Year 1 Medicine Theme 2-5
By Zoe Herndstadt
What to Expect and How to Tackle UTAS Year 1 Med Theme 2-5
Unlike Theme 1, Themes 2-5 won’t require copious memorization of microbes, processes, body parts and more. Theme 1 comprises the things you need to know to be a doctor while Theme 2-5 will consist of the things you need to know to be a good doctor. Worth 30% of your overall grade, it is worth spending time on Themes 2-5. Although many people will skip the lectures, it is best to attend them as lecture slides may be cryptic and lectures are not recorded.
Theme 2 (Communication and Collaboration)
Useful Textbooks: Clinical Examination – A Systemic Guide to Physical Diagnosis (Talley and O’Conner)
Semester 1: In Semester one, Theme 2 will teach you skills of how to conduct a medical interview. There will usually be one lecture and one tutorial a week to practice what you learn in the lectures.
Semester 2: In Semester two, there are fewer communication skills lectures but instead you will have clinical skills lectures as well as communication skills lectures similar to the ones you would have had in Semester one. Within the musculoskeletal system focus, clinical skills lectures will focused be on the clinical anatomy of a region (e.g. hip, knee or ankle), and examination skills of the region. Clinical anatomy can be assessed as part of Theme 1 in the Theme 1 EOS (End of Semester) exam.
Theme 3 (Community Health and Disease)
Useful Books: N/A – Study Lecture Slides
Unlike Theme 2, Theme 3 is very much integrated across both semesters. Studying for Theme 3 can pretty much be done by understanding the principles explained in the lecture slides and being able to apply them to a particular population group – e.g Aboriginals, Refugees, Rural Population groups.
Theme 4 (Personal and Professional Development)
Useful Books: N/A – Study Bruce’s essays, readings, and Lecture Slides
Theme 4 is very well-organised and there will be a list of lectures examinable for each exam. Studying for Theme 4 can be done by understanding the arguments made in Bruce’s essays and in the readings, and giving examples from the lectures will cover you well for the exam. Theme 4 lectures are recorded and it can be helpful to play back lecture recordings for solidifying understanding or note-taking. Recordings can also be played back on double speed, which is good if you are short on time.