Course coordinator
Associate Professor Jonathan Levy
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- External
- Attendance mode
- Online
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Herston
- Coordinating unit
- UQ Medical School
The focus of this course is two-fold. You will gain sound knowledge of:
1. Medical and surgical treatments as they apply to the majority of skin cancer presentations in the Primary Care arena. This includes medications, cryotherapy, curettage, biopsy techniques and excision of skin lesions with direct repair.
2. The therapeutic relationship, which includes educating patients (and colleagues) about skin cancer and knowing when to refer cases to ensure appropriate patient care.
IMED7010 is a highly interactive course, designed around discussion board conversations, which explore clinical management topics in depth. It is primarily aimed at the practising skin cancer clinician. The course provides a sound theoretical knowledge of surgical and medical management options for the range of skin cancer presentations.
This includes content is related but not limited to:
- topical medications,
- cryotherapy,
- curettage,
- biopsy techniques, and
- excision of skin lesions with direct repair.
Although remote assessment and teaching of practical skills is difficult, this is still deemed to be an essential element of the course, as it is integral to skin cancer management in clinical practice. Videoed surgical skills – elliptical excision, deep & external sutures – are uploaded by students and discussed amongst the group, with guided advice from the course tutors. Please note: your skills need not be outstanding to attain full marks.
Alongside this sits the aim that each graduate of the course develops an understanding the of role (and limitations) of the Primary Care doctor in skin cancer management generally. Another element of the course is for students to be ‘taught how to teach’, in anticipation of colleagues approaching you for advice after you have attained your Graduate Certificate or Masters. This is addressed within discussions, video feedback and the assignments, which are used by students to teach each other for the end-of-semester exam.
A running theme through the semester is the case studies. You will submit one, but in practice several case studies, which will give you the chance to discuss difficult cases and solicit advice from the whole group as to clinical management.
In all of the above, IMED7010 is designed to be a ‘real life, right now’ kind of course with a stimulating, ongoing series of discussions into which students must dip and contribute meaningfully several times per week.
Course requirements
Assumed background
IMED7001 and IMED7002 are pre-requisites and must be successfully completed before undertaking IMED7010.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
IMED7001 and IMED7002
Restrictions
Restricted to GCMed and MMed (Skin Cancer) students only
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Associate Professor Jonathan Levy
Guest lecturer
Dr Kevin Modeste
Dr John Prossor
Dr Chris Robinson
Timetable
Additional timetable information
There is no timetable for this course, all material is provided online and the study can be completed online each week by the student at their convenience.
Aims and outcomes
To gain a comprehensive understanding of diagnostic techniques, haemostasis, cryotherapy, surgery structures and non-surgical options as they relate to skin cancer.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Plan therapeutic strategies for managing patients with skin cancer;
LO2.
Understand different skin biopsy techniques;
LO3.
Display professional characteristics of a modern practitioner as expected by registration boards such as working with patients in a therapeutic relationship and working as a member of a health care team.
LO4.
Demonstrate clinical skills
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Case Study
|
6.6% 20 marks |
22/07/2024 - 21/10/2024 |
| Practical/ Demonstration |
Clinical Skills Videos
|
10% 30 marks |
22/07/2024 - 21/10/2024 |
| Practical/ Demonstration |
Skills Video & Case Study Commenting
|
33.4% 100 marks |
22/07/2024 - 21/10/2024 |
| Examination |
End of Semester Examination
|
50% 150 marks |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Case Study
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 6.6% 20 marks
- Due date
22/07/2024 - 21/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
You are to submit a simple case study demonstrating an aspect of management in your own practice. By the end, between the group, the following skills must have been covered by a case study each: cryotherapy / anaesthetic infiltration / diathermy / shave Bx / punch Bx / curettage & cautery .
Each student presents a different aspect of management to other case studies; as this will aid group learning. It is suggested that other cases incorporate elements of the 'Assignments' listed in the Discussion Board. This will aid exam revision. Cases may be totally or partially fictitious, in the aim of making a clinical point and helping teach the group.
Submission guidelines
Via Discussion Board on Learn.UQ (Blackboard)
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Clinical Skills Videos
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 10% 30 marks
- Due date
22/07/2024 - 21/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04
Task description
A number of clinical skills videos are to be completed through the semester.
A minimum mark of 30 (ie. all 3 skills videos* must be submitted) is required to pass this subject.
* Plus any supplementary videos requested by me (see "How Do I Get Marks in IMED7010" in 'Learning Resources' section of Blackboard for guidance as to when supplementary videos may be requested)
Hurdle requirements
A minimum mark of 30 (ie. all 3 skills videos* must be submitted) is required to pass this subject.Submission guidelines
Via video upload to Discussion Board on Learn.UQ (Blackboard)
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Skills Video & Case Study Commenting
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 33.4% 100 marks
- Due date
22/07/2024 - 21/10/2024
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03
Task description
You are expected to comment and critique constructively and politely on the clinical skills of peers as well as the case study submitted.
Hurdle requirements
A minimum mark of 60% is required to pass this subject.Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
End of Semester Examination
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50% 150 marks
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
Online examination of 90 minutes duration held during the University exam period.
Hurdle requirements
A minimum mark of 70% is required in the end of semester examination to pass this subjectExam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | Any calculator permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Learn.UQ |
| Invigilation | Not invigilated |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 57.4 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of less than 57.5% |
| 2 (Fail) | 57.5 - 64.4 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 57.5% but less than 64.5% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 64.5 - 71.4 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 64.5% but less than 71.5%. |
| 4 (Pass) | 71.5 - 78.4 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 71.5% but less than 78.5%. |
| 5 (Credit) | 78.5 - 85.4 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 78.5% but less than 85.5%. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 85.5 - 92.4 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 85.5% but less than 92.5%. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 92.5 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Attains an overall mark of at least 92.5%. |
Additional course grading information
A minimum achievement for each segment of IMED7010 is as listed above.ﾠPass marks are set for assessment items, however on occasion a recognised standard setting method may be used to determine the pass mark.ﾠ
In summary, the minimum requirements for passing are:
- Case Study - 20/20ﾠ (100%)
- Skills Videos - 30/30ﾠ (100%)
- Discussion/Commentary - 60/100 (60%)
- Exam - 105/150ﾠ (70%)
Calculation of Final Grade
The percentage mark for this course is reached by calculating the weighted average percentage mark achieved across the marked assessment tasks. The total of the weighted assessment tasks for the course will be rounded to two decimal points if required, with the final mathematical rounding to an integer at the end yielding a percentage mark. A mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Please note that all submission dates for assessments are in Brisbane time - Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
Deferred examinations
A student who is unable to sit or complete a scheduled final examination must apply for a deferred examination no later than five (5) calendar days after the date the original examination was held.
Please see my.UQ for further information on deferred exams (including the application process).
Timing of deferred exams
Deferred exams will be held in the Semester 2ﾠdeferred and supplementaryﾠexam period.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides emerging tools that may support students in completing some assessments. Students may appropriately use AI in completing their assessment tasks for this course unless otherwise indicated by the Course Coordinator. Students must clearly reference any use of AI in each instance. A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Refer to the following guide regarding referencing ofﾠAI:ﾠOverview - ChatGPT and other generative AI tools - Library Guides at University of Queensland Library (uq.edu.au).
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Patient(s) / pork belly / synthetic skin | The videoed skills element of this course requires access to one of these items (patient option preferred). | own item needed |
Additional learning resources information
Information on sourcing pork belly or synthetic skin is available at the start of the course (and there is time to procure before the assessment opens). Patient consent forms and advice is available. Note that a far better learning experience is provided via a video of real-life skin surgery on a consenting patient. Additionally, it is also far easier technically for the student to operate on human skin rather than porcine or synthetic skin.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.