Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine

The 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.

Course Aims

The Joint Medical Program has adopted as its program objectives the achievement of graduate attributes identified by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) to ensure that doctors are competent to practise safely and effectively as interns in Australia or New Zealand, and they have an appropriate foundation for lifelong learning and for further training in any branch of medicine. The AMC attributes cover knowledge and understanding, and skills and attitudes as they affect professional behaviour.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: BMedSc component: demonstrate an understanding of patient-centred, compassionate and ethical practice; demonstrate integrated and advanced knowledge and introductory level clinical skills; demonstrate awareness of the importance of self-awareness, and reflection in medical practice; demonstrate theoretical knowledge and reasoning skills relevant to patient care; demonstrate understanding of the value of life-long learning and the sharing of knowledge in the medical profession; demonstrate that they can critically analyse research findings; demonstrate knowledge of global and community focus on healthcare delivery; demonstrate that they are effective communicators; demonstrate that they can work effectively as team members and accept accountability as team leaders; demonstrate that they respect and embrace the history, culture and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; demonstrate an understanding of the requirements for culturally competent, holistic, patient-centred care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and MD component:demonstrate that they are patient-centred, compassionate and ethical; demonstrate that they have integrated and advanced knowledge and high level of clinical skills; demonstrate that they are self-aware, reflective and have well developed theoretical knowledge and reasoning skills; demonstrate that they are committed to life-long learning and the sharing of knowledge; demonstrate that they can contribute to published research and critically analyse findings; demonstrate that they have a global and community focus on healthcare delivery; demonstrate that they are effective communicators and can advocate for their patients and for change in healthcare; demonstrate that they can work effectively as team members and accept accountability as team leaders; demonstrate that they respect and embrace the history, culture and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and demonstrate that they are committed to providing culturally competent, holistic, patient-centred care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline BMedSc component (Stage 1): Graduates from the Bachelor of Medical Science will progressively acquire the significant body of scientific knowledge that underpins an understanding of health as a bio-psychosocial phenomena. As a result of the acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills, graduates will be able to apply that knowledge to a range of health related areas and identify how the growth of scientific knowledge has impacted and will continue to shape the evolution of health care. MD component (Stage 2): Graduates from the MD will progressively acquire the significant body of scientific knowledge that underpins effective medical practice. As a result of a strong integration of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills, graduates will be able to apply that knowledge when beginning professional practice and identify how the growth of scientific knowledge has impacted and will continue to shape the evolution of medicine, medical specialities and subspecialties. Graduates will be able to compare and contrast perspectives of health and healthcare from around the globe. They will be able to establish relationships between the incidence of illness and disease and to the social and environmental determinants of health in particular populations as well as describe the mechanism and impact of communicable disease on populations throughout the world. Communication Skills BMedSc component (Stage 1): Graduates will be able to communicate with users of health care and health professionals confidently and appropriately in oral and written form. Their communication will reflect a sound appreciation of communication styles and cultural backgrounds and they will be able to use a range of media and tools to communicate with people of different ages with varied communication abilities. MD component (Stage 2): Graduates will be able to communicate with patients, medical and other health professionals confidently and appropriately in oral and written form. Their communication will reflect a sound appreciation of communication styles and cultural backgrounds and they will be able to use a range of media and tools to communicate with people of different ages with varied communication abilities. Graduates will communicate in a scholarly manner to professional audiences, particularly in relation to the research process and evidence based practice. Problem Solving BMedSc component (Stage 1): Graduates will use a systematic approach to analysis and synthesis of issues pertinent to health. They will have developed and be able to use frameworks for identification of issues, establishing priorities, proposing solutions, considering of alternatives and justifying their decisions. MD component (Stage 2): Graduates will use a systematic approach to the diagnosis of disease and develop patient focused management plans. They will also have the capability to contribute to problem solving through the research process. Information Literacy BMedSc component (Stage 1): Graduates will be able to access and retrieve information from a range of authoritative sources and critically appraise information in order to practice evidence based medicine. MD component (Stage 2): Graduates will be able to access and retrieve information from a range of authoritative sources and critically appraise information in order to practice evidence based medicine. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility BMedSc component (Stage 1): Graduates will act in accordance with ethical and legal standards for academic and professional practice. They will advocate for social justice and equity and seek to address social disadvantage, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised individuals and populations. MD component (Stage 2): Graduates will act in accordance with ethical and legal standards for academic and professional practice. They will advocate for social justice and equity and seek to address social disadvantage, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised individuals and populations. Lifelong Learning BMedSc component (Stage 1): Graduates will demonstrate the ability to reflect on their knowledge and experience in order to identify their personal and professional learning goals and propose strategies to meet these. They will have a sound appreciation of the relationship between lifelong learning and professional practice and the need to participate in continuing professional development. MD component (Stage 2): Graduates will demonstrate the ability to reflect on their knowledge and experience in order to identify their personal and professional learning goals and propose strategies to meet these. They will have a sound appreciation of the relationship between lifelong learning and professional practice and the need to participate in continuing professional development. Independence and Collaboration BMedSc component (Stage 1): Graduates will be able to act independently and as effective members of healthcare teams, research groups and professional and community groups. They will accept responsibility for their own actions, acknowledge and respect the contributions of others and foster collaborative relationships in order to achieve goals. MD component (Stage 2): Graduates will be able to act independently and as effective members of healthcare teams, research groups and professional and community groups. They will accept responsibility for their own actions, acknowledge and respect the contributions of others and foster collaborative relationships in order to achieve goals.