Dear colleagues,

We’re rapidly approaching the end of first semester. This is an ideal time to reflect on progress towards our 2023 priorities, including clinician representation and involvement in the MD to further improve student experience across the four years of the course. I am happy to report that we have made a reasonable start, particularly for MD assessments and the curriculum.

Earlier this year, we welcomed Dr Anthony Khoo as Chair of the MD Year 3 OSCE. Anthony is working with a lead group of clinicians (Dr Felix Tan, Dr Liz Beare, Prof Michael Baigent, Dr Peter Michelmore, Dr Elaine Leung, Dr Russell Laver and Dr Tim Bright) to coordinate cases and examiners for the OSCE stations. Anthony and Prof Lambert Schuwirth, ran a successful OSCE workshop last month, which was very well attended in person and online (with participants joining from across SA and NT). It’s great to see such enthusiasm for MD assessment!

On the curriculum front, we have started the Curriculum Oversight Group (COG) in earnest. Dr Maxine Moore chaired the inaugural meeting earlier this month, with members in attendance from across SA and NT. I have every confidence that this group will enable us to review, map and further develop the MD curriculum.

Additionally, A/Prof  George Barreto (MD Deputy Director), Prof Bill Heddle and the Clinical Advisory Group (CAG) have developed standardised clinical placement ‘student orientation and expectations’ that will be used across all Flinders sites in SA and NT. These expectations will provide consistency for both students and supervisors at the start of placement and will be shared shortly. Thank you to everyone involved.

There are many other activities being planned for this year and next focussed on teaching and feedback. I look forward to progressing these with you.

I extend a very warm welcome to the new staff joining the MD teaching team. I also thank our teaching and professional staff, Academic Status holders and clinician educators for their enthusiasm and commitment to delivering the MD Program in semester one. If you are a clinician and don’t have Academic Status yet, please contact our Clinician Support Team to apply and seek support for your teaching activity.

Dr Michal Wozniak MBBS FRACGP
Director, Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program
www.flinders.edu.au/clinicians