News

Renewal program takes to the road

The Curriculum Renewal project team has planned to conduct travelling road shows to clinical staff across the region detailing the plan for the renewed JMP post university approval. In addition, a short monthly JMP Update Newsletter will be sent to discipline leads for dissemination amongst their staff. The first issue went out in April and the limited feedback so far has been positive. You can read the April edition here.

Proposed curriculum framework developed

Around 50 faculty and school staff, students and conjoints met for a one-day curriculum renewal retreat on Friday 25 November at 'The Glades', Warners Bay. Professor Brian Jolly, Professor of Medical Education at Monash University, also attended.

Professor Ian Symonds provided a background to the renewal process and presented a proposed curriculum framework for discussion. There were also presentations by Dr Robyn Smyth on curriculum design frameworks and Dr Andra Dabson on the Medical Dean's project on clinical skills. Attendees broke into a number of groups concentrating on different aspects of the curriculum and reported back at plenary sessions held in the morning and afternoon. There was also discussion of the way forward, including the formation of curriculum development working parties and the possibility of another retreat in March or April next year.

Curriculum Renewal Retreat, Friday 25 November

The revised curriculum will be presented and discussed at a retreat to be held on Friday 25 November. Anyone with an interest in the new curriculum is welcome to attend. It will be held in Newcastle at The Glades Conference Centre, Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay. Judy McDonald will be coordinating transport and accommodation for attendees from Armidale

Curriculum Renewal Working Group Meeting, 14 October

The initial consultation phase concluded with a meeting of the Steering Group held to consider feedback obtained from focus groups and individuals during the July to October period. The outcome of this was the adoption of a substantially amended curriculum structure which addressed the major concerns raised during the consultation process. Read a summary of the renewal process, including the key features of the amended curriculum, here

Further focus groups for curriculum review

Further focus groups have been scheduled for the next few months. Discipline Leads will meet at 5.30pm on Friday 9 September, at Isabella's Restaurant. Meetings of conjoint and adjunct staff in the Newcastle area have been scheduled for 22 September (Mater), 26 September (John Hunter) and 28 September (Maitland). Invitations will be sent for all of these groups. If you haven't received an invitation and would like to be involved, please contact Judy.Wood@newcastle.edu.au.

Community forum

A community forum will be held at 6pm on Wednesday 14 September, in the Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, University House. Invitations have been sent through various community groups and contacts, however all are welcome to attend. Visit the website to see what common issues are being raised across the consultation groups so far.Please contact Judy.Wood@newcastle.edu.au for details or to RSVP.

Can't get to a focus group?

We understand not everyone can get to a focus group, but this doesn't mean you can't let the school know your thoughts and ideas. Visit the JMP website to see what common issues the focus groups have been discussing so far. You can contribute to the discussion by emailing jmp@newcastle.edu.au. Prof Symonds will also be sending regular emails to conjoint and academic staff to provoke discussion on particular areas of interest.

Review Project Officer appointed

A Review Project Officer, Judy Wood, has been appointed to provide support for the review. At this stage of the process, Judy is facilitating and coordinating the consultative process, ensuring that all stakeholders have an opportunity to participate. She also provides executive support to the Curriculum Renewal Steering Group. Judy works Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and can be contacted on 4921 5987 or by email at judy.wood.@newcastle.edu.au.

Focus groups held for students and alumni

Thank you to medical alumni and students from both campuses who have been involved in the review focus groups so far. Participants offered constructive feedback on a number of aspects of the current program and the proposed changes including; length, research emphasis, training and assessment of clinical competencies. Many participants emphasised the importance of maintaining early clinical experiences within the medical program. It has been determined that the start date of a restructured program would be 2014. Your comments and feedback are welcome at any time at jmp@newcastle.edu.au.

Release of discussion paper for BMed Curriculum Review

Following the meeting of the Review Steering Group in May a discussion paper has been developed and can be downloaded here. The document outlines a framework for significant change in the JMP with a number of recommendations. The Steering Committee is now seeking feedback on the proposed changes. In particular around the proposed graduate profile, the education principles and philosophy as well as the program structure. To provide feedback please email jmp@newcastle.edu.au