01GSM MATTERS

GSM MATTERSAPRIL 2014CONNECT: UOW

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

01 GSM Prize Night Ceremony

02 Scholarships

02 Dean’s Merit List

02 Understanding Common Diseases

03 Doctoral Student Janette Ellis Awarded Posthumous PhD

03 Research Collaboration as Doctoral Student Jessica Ogle Graduates with PhD

04 Safety Week

04 What Community Research Is Being Done By Our Phase 3 Students?

05 Clinical Skills Update for 2013

06 A Message From The Dean: Dr Paul Cunningham

06 Fish Oil Studies Still Fresh After 25 Years

07 Grafton/Maclean Hub

07 Study Shows People Won’t Seek Help For Heart Symptoms Even When At The Doctor

08 Postpartum Haemorrhage

08 O&G Phase 2 Rotations

09 GSM Student Research

09 Advanced Life Support Training

Number 17

GSM Prize Night Ceremony 2013The 2013 GSM Prize Ceremony was held on 16th December. University prizes are awarded annually to students by the University of Wollongong. University prizes are awarded wholly or substantially on demonstrable academic excellence. Recipients receive recognition by inclusion of the prize on their academic transcript by the Academic Registrar’s Division. In addition, University prizes are published on the University website. We currently have 17 prizes. The GSM sincerely thank all individuals and organisations who have sponsored prizes for MBBS students.

2013 PRIZE WINNERS ARE:

Excellence in Medical Science Adam Bland

Norm Carr Achievement in Medical Science Barbara Grantham

Illawarra and Shoalhaven Medical Staff Council Chairs’ Clinical Examination Prize Tahira Scott

The Welch Allyn-Georgiou Prize for Excellence in Clinical Women’s and Maternal Health Joshua Wall

The B. Braun-Georgiou Prize for Excellence in Clinical Women’s and Maternal Health Elise Perger

Chris Georgiou Award for Excellence in Maternal and Women’s Health Shelley Griffiths

RANZCP Award for Excellence in Psychiatry Hannah Walker

Dr Allan James Award for Excellence in Paediatrics Elise Perger

Outstanding achievement in Research and Critical Analysis Nischal Sahai

Academic Excellence in Pain Medicine Oscar Horky

MEDI603 Clinical Examination Prize Hannah Walker

Academic Excellence in General Practice Elise Perger

indigo foundation Prize for Academic excellence in Personal and Professional Development Michael Petinga

MDA Outstanding Achievement Poster and Poster Presentation – Indigenous Health Kimberly Elliot

MDA Outstanding Achievement Poster and Poster Presentation Alice Thomas

PRP Diagnostic Imaging Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement Elise Perger

WUMSS President’s Award Chelsea Ricketts

02GSM MATTERS

ScholarshipsThe GSM has a number of different scholarship opportunities available to our students. The GSM would like to thank sponsors and all of the organisations and government departments who have provided invaluable opportunities to GSM students. Scholarships are based on a wide range of criteria including: equity, rurality, and special interest.

THE 2013 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ARE:The Graham, Bell & Bowman Scholarship for Medicine Sharna KulhavyDr Saroj (Sara) Lakshmi Loomba Commitment to Medicine Scholarship Taleitha AtkinsTroy Pocock Scholarship for Medicine Elise PergerGSM Phase 3 Community Funded Scholarship Theresa StockwellM.J Wraight Scholarship for Women in Medicine Janice TaylorRCPA Scholarships in Pathology for Medical Schools Natalie CampbellUOW Alumni Book Prize Hannah WalkerEmeritus Professor John Hogg Memorial Scholarship John CherryChristopher Zweerman Memorial Scholarship John CherryDr Ronald James Memorial Scholarship in Medicine Hanne Friis-O’TooleISML Scholarship in Medicine Emma De TassanyiCCCGPT Stephen HenryThe Rhys Harding Broken Hill Bush Scholarship William Early

Dean’s Merit ListThe Dean’s Merit List recognises and acknowledges Academic Excellence. Those MBBS students who achieve a final grade of Excellent for MEDI601, MEDI602 or MEDI603 are placed on the Dean’s Merit List.

Professor Alison Jones and Dean’s Merit List recipients

2013 Dean’s Merit List recipients:

MEDI601:

• Eve-Sorrelle Bailey • Adam Bland • Ebony Gardiner • Allan Grogan • Nicholas Hirst • David Jakabek • Tim Rupprecht

MEDI602

• Tahira Scott • Theresa Stockwell • Joshua Wall

MEDI603

• Oscar Horky • Elise Perger • Caydee Pollock • Alice Thomas • Hanna Walker

Understanding Common DiseasesDr Kylie Mansfield – Academic Leader: Phase 1

In September, two GSM academics Dr Kylie Mansfield and A/Prof Lyndal Parker Newlyn spent a week in Melbourne recording videos for the first UOW MOOC (Massive Open On-line Course). This taster course called “Understanding Common Diseases” explores the science and medicine behind four common diseases: hypertension, reflux, diabetes and the common cold. The course runs for 4 weeks and is made up of forty videos of 5-10 minutes each explaining the physiology of the organ system involved, the pathophysiology of the disease process, the pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of the disease. The course, the first collaboration between the University of Wollongong and Open2Study (a branch of Open Universities Australia) is designed for those who want to know more about these diseases or more about how the body works.

During the making of Understanding Common Diseases, Kylie and Lyndal enjoyed the opportunity to work with the Open2Study staff and with the Melbourne based production company Monster & Bear. Kylie and Lyndal see the course being a community outreach opportunity for the school. There is no assumed knowledge required and in designing the topics for the course Kylie and Lyndal were thinking about what information people with these diseases might like to know. The course is free, completely online, accessible worldwide and would be a useful asset for patient information.

03GSM MATTERS

A/Prof Lyndal Parker Newlyn and Dr Kylie Mansfield at the Monster & Bear production company

The course will be run once a month for the next year. The first intake started on the 18th November with more than 1200 students from all over the world including students from Italy, India, Australia, United States and the Dominican Republic. The course can be accessed from the Open2Study site at: https://www.open2study.com/courses/understanding-common-diseases

Doctoral Student Janette Ellis Awarded Posthumous PhD Dr Judy Mullan- Senior Lecturer and Academic Theme Leader Research and Critical Analysis 

During the recent UOW Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health graduation ceremony held on the 17th of December 2013, a PhD was awarded posthumously to Janette Catherine Ellis. The award was received by Janette’s husband Neville on behalf of her family, who were in attendance at the ceremony. Janette was an exemplary University of Wollongong student who was awarded a First Class Honours degree in 2009, prior to commencing her PhD in 2010 under the supervision of Dr Judy Mullan, Professor Anthony Worsley and Professor Nagesh Pai. She was the first UOW Graduate School of Medicine student to receive a Higher Degree Research student scholarship and was successful in achieving the following publication and conference presentations during her two and a half years as a PhD candidate.

Ellis, J., Mullan, J., Worsley, A., Pai, N., (2012) ‘The Role of Health Literacy and Social Networks in Arthritis Patient’s Health Information-Seeking Behaviour: a Qualitative Study’, International Journal of Family Medicine, published online Sept, 2012, doi. 1155/2012/397039.

Ellis, J., Mullan, J. Worsley, A., Pai, N. (2011) ‘Quality of Health Literacy and Role of Social Networks in Arthritis Patients’ Information Seeking Behaviour’, Australian Disease Management Association 7th Annual National Conference, Canberra, 25-26 August 2011.

Ellis, J., Mullan, J., Worsley, A., Pai, N. (2012) ‘A snapshot of arthritis patients’ pain medication use, knowledge and attitudes’, NPS National Medicines Symposium, Sydney, 24-25 May.

Unfortunately, in mid-2012 Janette was diagnosed with a terminal illness which sadly ended her life in early 2013. Jeanette’s polite, respectful and intelligent presence is sorely missed by her friends and colleagues within the UOW Graduate School of Medicine.

GSM Paving the Way for Interfaculty Higher Research Collaboration as Doctoral Student Jessica Ogle Graduates with PhD Professor John Bushnell - Professor: Medical Education

Dr Jessica Ogle completed her doctoral degree and graduated in the July graduation ceremony in 2013, setting a precedent for interfaculty collaboration that the School is working hard to maintain. Dr Jessica Ogle undertook a series of studies in medical education, examining the relationship between clinical competence and empathy in medical care. She firstly determined that empathy could be rated with high reliability based on an independent rater’s review of videotaped Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) stations. Using this method, it was found that students who were more empathic also did better on overall clinical performance. This important finding has a bearing upon both the processes of selection of students into medicine, and to the complex learning processes that mould skills and attitudinal development during the study of medicine. Professor John Bushnell, Jessica’s principal supervisor, said, “the relationship between empathy and clinical competence was evident in all types of OSCE stations, regardless of the type of medical specialty being examined, so the implications are not just for the “warm and fuzzy” specialties like Psychiatry and Paediatrics. Students who were empathic also did better on core aspects of Medicine and Surgery”. However, there was also interesting

Janette Catherine Ellis

04GSM MATTERS

evidence that for some students their internal attitudes and emotions were discrepant with their behaviour: they didn’t always feel as empathic as they seemed to the independent raters. Discrepancies between self- and observer-ratings of empathy may be partly accounted for by the differences in ability to self-assess, which relates to aspects of personality including openness and extraversion. It is also possible that some students learn how to “look empathic” because they believe it is expected in an exam, and the extent to which this expression of empathy (when not feeling empathic) carries on outside the exam situation into real clinical practice remains an unanswered question.

Jessica Ogle’s Doctorate in Clinical Psychology was supervised by both Prof John Bushnell from the GSM, and Associate Prof Peter Caputi from the School of Psychology, implementing a model of inter-faculty collaboration within UOW that the GSM has sought to establish and develop in order to grow its involvement in postgraduate education and research. Dr Ogle is now working full time in clinical practice at the Department of Rehabilitation and Medical Psychology at Port Kembla Hospital, and at Resolve Psychological Services in Wollongong.

Safety WeekLeanne Betts - Clinical Placement Facilitator: Shoalhaven

The month of October saw a celebration of Safety Week throughout NSW Health precincts delivering a message that Safety is a Frame of Mind. Staff at Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital were asked to participate by decorating their workspace to reflect one of three themes: Sharps, Manual Handling or Recycling. This proved to be a very creative and competitive exercise throughout the hospital.

Team members: (From left to right) Karon Stalgis, Sue Ronayne, Tania Creer, Melanie Vella, Krystal Summerfield, Leanne Betts, Liz Melleuish and Margaret Gasseling

Graduate School of Medicine staff joined in collaboration with Hospital administration staff to present a colourful and informative display in the Executive Corridor about the benefits of recycling. Visitors were able to view a presentation which emphasised the “3Rs” – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and learn some startling facts. For example, it takes one tree to make approximately six reams of A4 paper, or 26 sheets of paper produces the same amount of greenhouse gas as driving a car one kilometre.

The competition was judged by Shoalhaven Hospital’s newly appointed General Manager, Joel George and Acting Director of Nursing, Brad Scotcher. The inaugural Heather Bell Trophy (in memory of a long standing hospital staff member) was awarded to the Executive Corridor’s display and presentation and because staff in the corridor have implemented recycling practices into their daily work.

What Community Research Is Being Done By Our Phase 3 Students?Dr Kathryn Weston - Senior Lecturer: Public Health

During Phase 3 each student undertakes a community-based research project relevant to their placement community. The Research and Critical Analysis (RCA) Team looked at the abstracts from the past four years’ projects to find out what research areas the students have chosen to investigate. The table below shows the areas of interest for over 80% of the student research projects. Research into different aspects of chronic disease is high on the list, comprising about one-third of all projects to date, and many students also choose to investigate different research questions about cancer and other public health issues, such as vaccination.

The RCA Team presented these results at recent conferences.

Weston K, Mullan J, McLennan P, Rich W (2013) Community-based research projects within a medical curriculum: authentic learning of public health. Oral presentation at the Public Health Association of Australia 42nd Annual Conference, 16 - 18 September 2013, Hilton on the Park, Melbourne.

Mullan J & Weston K (2013). Enriching a medical curriculum with community-based public health projects: are there opportunities for inter-professional learning? Oral presentation at ANZAHPE 2013: Conference Handbook & Program (pp. 250-250). Australia: Australian and New Zealand Association of Health Professional Educators.

Dr Jessica Ogle

05GSM MATTERS

We gratefully acknowledge all our academic supervisors, preceptors, practice and hospital staff, and the many research participants who have assisted our students undertaking their Phase 3 research projects.

Clinical Skills Update for 2013Ros Smith – Manager: Clinical Skills

The Clinical Skills team has seen a number of staff changes in 2013:

• The appointment of Dr Helen Rienits as Academic Leader in January

• The appointment of Dr Gary Chew as Senior Lecturer (0.5 FTE) in February

• The appointment of Dr Paul Cunningham as Senior Lecturer (0.5 FTE) in July

• The appointment of Dr Sal Sanzone as Senior Lecturer (0.5 FTE each) in July

• The appointment of Dr Sanaz Khanlari as Lecturer, Clinical Skills in July.

• The appointment of Dr Claire Etheridge (0.2 FTE).

• The return of Elfi Ashcroft and subsequently Sue Vella from study leave.

• The appointment of Shawn Tyler to the position of Volunteer Coordinator, Wollongong in June.

• The appointment of Lauren Whitfield to the position of Assistant Technician: Clinical Skills, Wollongong in October.

Considering the significant number of staff changes over the year, with new staff requiring orientation and training, it is a tribute to the team as a whole that we have pulled together and delivered arguably the best quality teaching and learning year in Clinical Skills so far in the GSM. It is wonderful to note that the team will be at full strength by the beginning of 2014 for the first time in the history of the GSM. We can confidently look forward to doing even better next year! The advantages of having a full complement of academic staff are already beginning to be apparent and will increase in the coming year:

Preparing for Conference Week Simulations (Left to Right) Dr Sal Sanzone, Lauren Whitfield, Dr Gary Chew, Dr Paul Cunningham and Sue Vella

• There will be greater stability in the roster with most sessions being taught by our own staff who have an understanding of the curriculum as a whole and of the process of teaching and assessment in skills.

• Our academic staff have a range of backgrounds and expertise and we will now be able to increasingly develop lesson material to teach to our strengths.

• We will be able to continue the process of ‘breaking down the walls of the CS Silo’ with greater involvement of academics in other aspects of curriculum. (Dr Sal Sanzone with CBL and Admissions, Elfi Ashcroft with Personal and Professional Development, Sue Vella with Phase 2 Hospital Obstetrics & Gynaecology teaching, Dr Paul Cunningham with Emergency Medicine across the curriculum, Dr Sanaz Khanlari with Mental Health across the curriculum, for example).

During 2013 we completed a significant process submitting campus based clinical skills lessons for review by external specialist clinicians in relevant fields. A total of 84% of the lessons submitted were reviewed by external clinicians and the overall response was a very high commendation for the academic standard of the material submitted. A number of minor changes were suggested and these will all be implemented if possible in the coming year. This has been a significant affirmation of the work of the Clinical Skills team at the GSM.

06GSM MATTERS

A Message From The Dean: Dr Paul CunninghamThe GSM recently lost a dear colleague, Dr Paul Cunningham. Paul graduated from the University of Sydney Medical School, and came to GSM with a strong clinical and emergency medicine background. Paul had a passion to teach, and was a huge asset to our Clinical Skills team. Whilst his time with the GSM was short, he made a substantial impact on all of us. I have offered his family condolences and support on behalf of all at the GSM.

Professor Alison Jones Dean

Fish Oil Studies Still Fresh After 25 YearsProfessor Peter McLennan - Professor of Physiology & Faculty Research Chair

Graduate School of Medicine academic, Professor Peter McLennan, in September celebrated the 25th anniversary of publishing the first paper identifying the antiarrhythmic effects of dietary fish oil. McLennan PL, Abeywardena MY, Charnock JS. Dietary fish oil prevents ventricular fibrillation following coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion. American Heart Journal 1988; 116 (Sept): 709-17. Conducted as part of a long collaboration between Prof McLennan and Dr Mahinda Abeywardena of CSIRO Animal, Food and Health Sciences division that began in the early 1980’s with Dr John Charnock at CSIRO Human Nutrition in Adelaide, this research continues today.

Finding that feeding fish oil to rats prior to inducing a heart attack prevented usually fatal heart rhythm disturbances from occurring, this research heralded a new understanding of how omega-3 fatty acids protect the heart by incorporation into the fabric of cardiac muscle. Since 1970’s observations of the rarity of cardiac deaths amongst Greenland Inuit (Eskimos), fish oil had been thought to protect the heart by preventing coronary artery disease and blood clotting. The new research identified, for healthy heart function, the essential role of the long chain omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (identified as DHA in labels on food such as canned fish). Moreover, the findings separated the effects of omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood from other polyunsaturated fatty acids obtained from plants. A key feature of the research

was its clinical relevance; the researchers used a mammalian experimental heart attack model of coronary artery ischaemia, making the research data highly pertinent in the human context.

The research has develop beyond these initial findings, including further original observations that hearts beat slower and need less oxygen when sufficient omega-3 fatty acids are available, which protects against a variety of stresses. Subsequent experiments identified applications in heart failure and also skeletal muscle fatigue, establishing the novel concept of “nutritional preconditioning” (protection during harmful conditions by prior provision of specific nutrients).

This animal-based research stimulated world-wide interest and inspired translational case-control studies and re-examination of data from large cohorts, which confirmed in man, a link between regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids from seafood and reduced risk of sudden heart attack deaths or heart failure, first identified by the basic research. This original research paper has been cited in the peer-reviewed literature more than 250 times (ISI Web of Science), receiving multiple citations in every one of its 25 years and is still current. It is a citation star for the American Heart Journal where, as one of the four most-cited articles of 1988, it also stands out uniquely as a rare basic medical physiology research study amongst a plethora of clinical trials, epidemiology and clinical research reports.

This paper and follow-on research has informed influential health authority position statements globally, providing evidence to support dietary recommendations for prevention of cardiovascular disease, including: the National Heart Foundation of Australia - Position Statement: Fish, fish oils, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and cardiovascular health; a Scientific Statement of the American Heart Association: Fish consumption, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and cardiovascular disease; and a report from the National Institutes of Health - National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and Office of Dietary Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiac arrhythmias.

Through this research we now understand omega-3 fatty acids act, not in the sense of a medicinal treatment but rather as a dietary factor essential for optimal healthy heart and muscle function. Ongoing research aims to better understand how these fatty acids work at a cellular level, understand their effectiveness and mechanisms for preventing heart damage and heart failure after a heart attack and their influence on muscle metabolism, muscle fatigue and exercise capacity. With trials also investigating how low (in the diet) can you go yet retain omega-3 influence, fish oil research is still fresh.

07GSM MATTERS

Grafton/Maclean HubSheree Lloyd - Placement Facilitator Dr Alastair McInnes - Regional Academic Leader

Dr Anil Thakur, General Practice Preceptor from the Clarence Valley Medical Centre conducted a suture workshop for UOW, emergency department staff and students from UNSW.

Dr Anil Thakur conducting workshop

Students have also been busy celebrating the Jacaranda Festival in our community and were members of the hospital’s dragon boat team. The Hospital Dragons competed in the community dragon boat races and while not placed on the day were commended on the timing of their paddling and were successful in taking out the best dressed on the day.

The Hospital Dragon boat team

Students have been enjoying their attachments in the emergency departments, general practices and specialty days in the hospital.

Theresa Stockwell presented a fascinating case that she had seen in General Practice and the Hospital for Grand Rounds titled ‘Doctor, My 5 Year Old is Turning Yellow’. The session was well attended and the presentation informative, evidence based and professional. Theresa was commended on the depth of her presentation and captured the interest of the audience with this unusual case.

Study Shows People Won’t Seek Help For Heart Symptoms Even When At The DoctorStory written by the Australian Psychological Society Media Unit and UOW Media Unit

Many people experiencing heart disease symptoms won’t tell their doctor, even though they recognise the need for medical care for such symptoms, according to Graduate School of Medicine Academic Leader, Personal and Professional Development Dr Coralie Wilson.

Dr Coralie Wilson

”Heart disease is a leading cause of death in Australia so we really need to understand people’s behaviour in regard to seeking treatment.” Dr Wilson, who presented the research to the Australian Psychological Society Annual Conference in Cairns, said.

Dr Wilson said the focus of prevention and intervention has been on education and then promoting “help-seeking”— encouraging people to recognise their symptoms and get appropriate medical attention.

Yet Dr Wilson’s broader research program indicates that other factors affect people’s behaviour and ability to recognise symptoms and seek help.

Two members of her team, Gamze Abramov and Erin Fraser, with the help of Associate Professor Peter Caputi and Clinical Associate Professor Rod McMahon, surveyed over 600 people waiting to see their doctor about non-heart related matters. The researchers asked patients about their levels of depression and anxiety symptoms, current symptoms of undiagnosed heart disease, and current intention to talk to their GP about their heart symptoms.

The team’s research found that about 20 per cent of patients had undiagnosed moderate to severe symptoms of heart disease and those with the most significant symptoms were the least likely to talk to their GP.

“Our research showed that patients with symptoms of heart disease that had not yet been diagnosed by a doctor had reduced intention to tell their doctor about these symptoms, even though they also acknowledged that a person with such symptoms should see a doctor,” Dr Wilson said.

08GSM MATTERS

She said this behaviour was known as “help-negation” and had been previously found among people with depression, anxiety and those with suicidal thoughts, but not associated with heart symptoms.

“This study indicates that the help-negation process is a major reason for why people aren’t getting help,” Dr Wilson said.

“As people become unwell it is common for them to withdraw and their ability to clearly recognise their symptoms and take action becomes diminished.”

In the past it has been assumed that people didn’t seek help for psychological reasons such as fear or denial but she said evidence is pointing to neurological reasons for help-negation that relate to changes in the brain which impact functioning, and limit people’s ability to recognise their symptoms and take appropriate action.

“This information changes the way we think about engaging with people at risk of heart disease, as well as co-occurring mental health problems and increases our understanding of people’s behaviour in relation to getting help,” she said.

Story reproduced in NZ Doctor (14/10/13), Medical Observer (14/10/13), The Conversation (25/10/13), Newcastle Herald (14/10/13), West Australian (14/10/13), and discussed in live interview on: ABC Radio PM, 666 ABC Canberra,720 ABC Perth, ABC Brisbane, ABC Illawarra, 4BC Brisbane (11/10/13 - 7/11/13)

For more information contact Dr Coralie Wilson by email at cwilson@uow.edu.au

Postpartum HaemorrhageAssociate Professor Chris Georgiou - Academic lead in Maternal and Women’s Health

It has been a busy year for Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G). This has included presenting at the International Scientific Meeting of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Liverpool, June 23-26, 2013. Two posters were presented entitled: “Laparoscopy for theatre nurses” and “Pregnancies following the use of balloon tamponade technology in the previous pregnancy” RCOG.

Animations demonstrating the use of Balloon Tamponade Technology in the management of postpartum haemorrhage have also been developed for various educational uses. These include: The National “Anatomy of Complications course” (http://www.acworkshop.com.au) and International resources such as “A comprehensive textbook of postpartum haemorrhage” (http://www.glowm.com/safer_resources/resource/textbook/title/a-comprehensive-textbook-of-postpartum-hemorrhage-2<sup>nd<-sup>-edition/resource_doc/7705). It is envisioned that these short animations may help reduce the incidence of maternal morbidity and mortality due to postpartum haemorrhage by being freely available to popularize the use of balloon tamponade technology in the management of PPH.

A/Prof Georgiou sharing his findings on the successful use of the Balloon Tamponade Technology

A/Prof Georgiou’s research and clinical experience in the use of Balloon Tamponade technology has resulted in him being invited as a guest speaker at the International 125th meeting of the Kanto Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Japan (15-18 June, 2013) to present on the use of Balloon tamponade in the management of postpartum haemorrhage. (https://www.cookmedical.com/web/womens-health/article/-/blogs/dr-georgiou-on-the-successful-use-of-the-bakri-balloon-in-the-treatment-of-pph)

O&G Phase 2 RotationsSince A/Prof Chris Georgiou has been appointed as Academic Leader: Maternal and Women’s Health, he has re-organised the Phase 2 programme of the O&G component of the MBBS course. By integrating Phase 1 and Clinical Skills teaching within each of the 7 annual rotations he has been able to provide essentially a complete O&G course for every rotation. This has been supplemented by the introduction of individual timetables with “model” study guides and modules that help pace the students through their rotations. The result is equality of clinical experiences such that students are not is disadvantaged based on the various hospital site that they attend.

Associate Professor Chris Georgiou

09GSM MATTERS

In September, Jenny Deura, Tracy Metcalfe, Jodie Douglas, and A/Prof Chris Georgiou presented a poster on the “Individualized timetabling to facilitate organizational standardization and planning in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a MBBS degree” at the National Tertiary Education Managers Conference in Hobart, 15-18 September, 2013.

GSM Student ResearchThis year, two GSM medical students have each presented a poster at the National Annual Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist (RANZCOG) meeting. Michael Petinga submitted his Phase 3 project on “Breast Feeding: The attitudes and level of knowledge amongst a cohort of General Practitioners. Michelle Durst presented her research project on the use of iPads in O&G entitled: “Tablet

technology: iPad prescription for medical school teaching and training in Obstetrics & Gynaecology”.

Advanced Life Support TrainingElfi Ashcroft – Lecturer: Clinical Skills

The weekend of the 12th and 13th of October 2013 saw the second Advanced Life Support (ALS) 2 Training Course held in the clinical skills rooms at the GSM. This two-day course represents the pinnacle of ALS training and was a significant community engagement activity where the GSM was able to provide a training venue for a national professional organisation, the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC).

This cooperation gives local clinicians the opportunity to obtain a nationally recognised qualification without the need to travel outside the region, making it far more accessible and affordable. The ALS course in Wollongong is going from strength to strength, originally being planned this year as a course for 12 people and finally expanding by ten extra candidates as demand has grown. Twenty-two local clinicians, from all backgrounds, undertook the ALS 2 course that was taught by an expert multidisciplinary faculty, including paramedics, cardiac and emergency nurses and emergency physicians.

Advanced Life Support training participants, helpers and faculty of the GSM Wollongong

The NSW branch of the ARC is the largest provider of ALS courses in NSW, teaching more than one course every month. It is also a not-for-profit organisation, which has amongst its aims the promotion of basic and advanced life support skills.

Basic life support, otherwise known as BLS, cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR, is vitally important as it often the single immediate intervention made by bystanders that can save the life of a cardiac arrest victim. Advanced life support, or ALS, comprises the high-level knowledge and skills needed by clinicians to prevent, diagnose and successfully treat a cardiac arrest either in or outside hospital. ALS courses are multidisciplinary,

Jenny Deura at the National Tertiary Education Managers Conference, which she presented at in Tasmania.

Michael Petinga, A/Prof Georgiou and Michelle Durst at the National Annual RANZCOG meeting

10GSM MATTERS

training doctors, nurses and paramedics in identical knowledge and skills, based on the belief that a cardiac arrest victim needs the best possible treatment regardless of who provides it and regardless of where it takes place.

Advanced Life Support in progress

Its aim is to train all NSW clinicians in the best evidence based management of cardiac arrest, train as many community members as possible in CPR, promote the placement of Automated External Defibrillator (AEDs) throughout the state and share in the creation of the state’s first cardiac arrest registry, and so attracted this course to the Illawarra.

11GSM MATTERS