This unit introduces the concept of clinical epidemiology and provides students with core skills in clinical epidemiology at an introductory level. Topics covered include asking and answering clinical questions; basic and accessible literature searching techniques; study designs used in clinical epidemiological research; confounding and effect modification; sources of bias; interpretation of results including odds ratios, relative risks, confidence intervals and p values; applicability of results to individual patients; critical appraisal of clinical epidemiological research literature used to answer questions of therapy (RCTs and systematic reviews), harm, prognosis, diagnosis, screening and clinical guidelines; and translating research into practice.

Students will learn how to formulate a searchable question; the pros and cons of different information sources; how to structure an electronic database search; important fields in MEDLINE; useful practical tips for searching MEDLINE; methodological filters, journal citation reports, bibliometrics, and how to organise and manage references. The assignment requires students to demonstrate their search skills for clinical problems (marks allocated for how many relevant articles found, the content terms used, the methodological terms used, and the databases searched) and to demonstrate skills in the use of information tracking interfaces and Endnote.

Students will learn how to critically appraise a review of the effectiveness of an intervention; how to do a meta-analysis; how to weigh up benefits and harms (applicability); how to avoid misleading meta-analyses and how to find or do better systematic reviews. At the end of this unit, participants should be able to: search for systematic reviews; critically appraise reviews of randomised controlled trials, do a meta-analysis of randomised trials using available software; and use meta-analytic methods for weighing up benefits and harms of an intervention in individual patient management and practice policy development. The assignment task involves: outlining a clinical or health policy decision; identifying a systematic review of randomized controlled trials; critically appraising a systematic review of randomized controlled trials; consideration of the applicability of the evidence and what additional information is required to better inform decision making.

The Surgical Pathology Unit of Study course in an online course available in Semester 1 or 2. It is based on examination of macroscopic pathology specimens (bottles) located in the Pathology Museum collection and examination of microscopic slides of relevant pathological processes. The course runs over 13 weeks and covers 12 topics. Each week several streamed videos, corresponding Powerpoint presentations and additional reading, are provided to students. This material will take approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Following viewing of the teaching media, students complete an online quiz, which contributes to the final assessment. Additionally, students will prepare an in-dept, semi structured assignment on a pathological process, where possible of relevant to their particular interests. An optional weekend in-house practical session at the University of Sydney will be offered to students late in the semester (May or October), where students will be provided with practical tutorials covering many of the topics within the course. The practicals will involve viewing relevant bottles and slides. Participation is not compulsory. Topics that will be covered in the course will include basic pathological processes (eg immunology, inflammation, neoplasia etc) and systems pathology (eg cardiovascular, respiratory, gastroenterology, neurology, genitourinary, orthopaedic etc).

This unit provides students with core skills in epidemiology, particularly the ability to critically appraise public health and clinical epidemiological research literature. This unit covers: study types; measures of frequency and association; measurement bias; confounding/effect modification; randomized trials; systematic reviews; screening and test evaluation; infectious disease outbreaks; measuring public health impact and use and interpretation of population health data. It is expected that students spend an additional 2-3 hours at least preparing for their tutorials.

This unit aims to provide students with an introduction to statistical concepts, their use and relevance in public health. This unit covers descriptive analyses to summarise and display data; concepts underlying statistical inference; basic statistical methods for the analysis of continuous and binary data; and statistical aspects of study design. Specific topics include: sampling; probability distributions; sampling distribution of the mean; confidence interval and significance tests for one-sample, two paired samples and two independent samples for continuous data and also binary data; correlation and simple linear regression; distribution-free methods for two paired samples, two independent samples and correlation; power and sample size estimation for simple studies; statistical aspects of study design and analysis. Students will be required to perform analyses using a calculator and will also be required to conduct analyses using statistical software (SPSS). It is expected that students spend an additional 2 hours per week preparing for their tutorials. Computing tasks are self-directed.

This unit aims to provide students with specific information on the concepts, methods and applications underpinning cancer prevention and control at population level. It is designed to address specific educational needs of students in various programs within the School of Public Health and to offer a broad-based perspective on cancer control, ranging from primary prevention, screening and early intervention, tertiary prevention and palliative care. Emphasis will be given to cancers with the greatest impact at population level and where evidence demonstrates that policies and interventions are capable of reducing cancer incidence, mortality, prolonging survival and improving quality of life. Although focusing on specific Australian conditions, the information will be presented in the context of regional and global cancer control efforts. At the completion of the unit, students will be equipped with the basic tools to design, plan, implement and evaluate cancer control programs in Australia or other countries.

This course offers a broad-based integrated perspective on chronic disease prevention. The course reviews the epidemiology of selected chronic diseases with the highest impact at population level in Australia (cardiovascular diseases; cancer; chronic lung disease; diabetes and chronic renal disease). The information will focus on Australian settings, but presented within the context of a regional perspective of chronic disease prevention.
Teaching will focus on the interrelationships between the biological and epidemiological aspects of chronic diseases, the interplay between determinants of health and chronic disease, and the balance between high risk and population based strategies for reducing disease burden, and exploring their applicability to disease prevention. Students will be involved in evaluating the effectiveness of different prevention strategies and will examine the role of health policy in developing effective and sustainable chronic disease management programs in different settings (in Australia and the region).

Students will learn how to analyse data using multiple linear regression. Multiple linear regression is a powerful statistical method for analysing a continuous outcome variable with several explanatory variables. In particular, this unit will cover how to compare more than two groups, adjust for confounders, test for effect modification, calculate adjusted means, conduct appropriate model checking, and teaches strategies for selecting the 'best' regression model. Students will learn how to apply these methods using the statistical package called SAS. In this unit, each topic is covered by a one hour statistics lecture, a one hour SAS lecture, a one hour SAS practical and a one hour statistics tutorial to discuss the interpretation of the results. Each fortnight there is an exercise on the material covered in the statistics lecture. The SAS practical covers the necessary statistical computing to answer the questions for the tutorial the following week. The assignments will involve practical analysis and interpretation of a data set. This unit is the prerequiste for learning other types of regression models, such as logistic regression (PUBH5212) and survival analysis (PUBH5213).

In this unit the biostatistical concepts covered in earlier units are extended to cover analysis of epidemiological studies where the outcome variable is categorical. Topics of study include: testing for trend in a 2 x r contingency table; the Mantel-Haenszel test for the combination of several 2 x 2 tables, with estimation of the combined odds ratio and confidence limits; multiple logistic regression; Poisson regression; modelling strategy. The assignments will involve practical analysis and interpretation of categorical data. Data analyses will be conducted using statistical software (SAS).

During this unit, students learn to analyse data from studies in which individuals are followed up until a particular event occurs, e.g. death, cure, relapse, making use of follow-up data also for those who do not experience the event. This unit covers: Kaplan-Meier life tables; logrank test to compare two or more groups; Cox's proportional hazards regression model; checking the proportional hazards assumption; and sample size calculations for survival studies. For each topic participants are given some material to read beforehand. This is followed by a lecture, then participants are given one or two exercises to do for the following week. These exercises are discussed in the tutorial at the next session before moving on to the next topic. That is, in most weeks the first hour is a tutorial and the lecture is given in the second hour. Participants are expected to run SAS programs in their own time. Preparation time for each session is 2-3 hours. The assignments both involve use of SAS to analyse a set of survival data.

Evidence-based Surgery: How to find, assess, interpret and PRODUCE the evidence

Evidence-based Medicine involves the application of current best evidence when making decisions about the care of patients, but where is the evidence in Surgery and how strong is it? Should patients receive prophylactic antibiotics when undergoing hernia repair? How does laparoscopic compare to open surgery? Stent or surgery in vascular disease? Which patients need adjuvant therapy after oncological surgery? This course will provide direct instruction on how to read, understand and fully evaluate surgical publications to enable you to apply the findings to your own clinical practice.

As every surgeon knows, there is no better way of learning a procedure than doing it yourself. Similarly, the best way to understand surgical research is to perform it. Therefore, the course will provide students with a step-by-step guide that will demystify and guide students through the process of surgical research. The focus is to provide students with the knowledge, tools and skills to undertake their own research study both within the Masters of Surgery and beyond. It will cover key aspects from identifying study question, searching and appraising the literature, selecting appropriate study design, to designing a study, outcome measures and methods for data collection. It will also cover issues affecting study quality, such as bias and confounding.
By the end of the course you will be able to (i) read, understand and fully evaluate surgical publications and (ii) develop a research protocol of your own and undertake a comprehensive literature review in your selected clinical area of interest with a view to subsequent peer-review publication. The course will involve interactive lectures and practical exercises and opportunities to interact with key experts in the field. Assessment will be based on attendance and participation in workshops and submission of a written assignment.

Get Ahead in Surgery: Research Output - Produce or Perish

A competitive edge facilitates rapid career progression and success in Surgery. Increasingly, emphasis is being placed on non-technical skills to differentiate surgeons. In particular, surgeons are expected to present at scientific meetings and publish in peer-reviewed journals, but what tuition or guidance is provided to enable these goals to be achieved?

This course will ensure that students are confident writing and revising papers for peer-review publication and are able to deliver professional presentations at scientific meetings. The key focus is on achieving key research output with the explicit aim of enhancing your CV. There is particular emphasis on providing an "insider's guide" to successful abstract and paper writing, using a standardized and highly successful approach. Presentation at national and international scientific meetings demands can be daunting, regardless of seniority. Take your presentation skills to the next level. Learn an approach used in media skills training to prepare and delivery powerful presentations like the experts. Understand how to handle your audience and give them what they want.

By the end of the course you will be confident (i) writing and revising papers for peer-review publication and (ii) preparing effective abstracts and delivering powerful, professional presentations at scientific meetings. The course will involve interactive lectures and practical exercises and opportunities to interact with key experts in the field. Assessment will be based on attendance and active participation in weekly tutorials and a written assignment, involving preparation of an abstract and paper for publication.

The dissertation is a formal piece of writing relevant to the subject area of the masters degree. Candidates will work on a specified research project under appropriate supervision. At least one of the project supervisors must be an academic staff member of the University. The dissertation is in Parts A and B, both of which will be completed in a minimum of one year of full time study or two years of part time study.

The dissertation is a formal piece of writing relevant to the subject area of the masters degree. Candidates will work on a specified research project under appropriate supervision. At least one of the project supervisors must be an academic staff member of the University. The dissertation is in Parts A and B, both of which will be completed in a minimum of one year of full time study or two years of part time study.

The unit of study aims to introduce all types of imaging relevant to the practice of surgery, to understand the underlying physical and technological principles upon which imaging relies and to know the indications for use and complications of imaging. By the end of the unit students will understand the scientific basis of the various imaging modalities and the indications for their use and appreciate the importance of protection of patients and personnel from the harmful effects of imaging.
The contents of the unit are: B mode, spectral analysis and duplex ultrasound; computerised tomography; magnetic resonance; positron emission tomography; radio isotope imaging; angiography; imaging guided therapeutic techniques and safety measures in imaging.

The aims of the unit are for the student to acquire knowledge of nutrition in surgery and to understand adaptive response of the body to stress, trauma and sepsis. By the end of the unit the student will become competent in providing enteral and parenteral nutritional therapy to metabolically compromised patients. Content includes Nutrition assessment, Surgical Complications in Malnourished, Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition, Complications in Obese, Obesity and Surgery, Short Bowel Syndrome and Enterocutaneous fistula.

This unit of study aims to gain insight into safety in surgery from dual perspectives; that of the individual surgeon 'on the spot' as well as the broader social, technological and political context. At the end of the unit, students will have learned to appreciate performance limitations of individuals and teams, develop personal safety skills and behaviours and develop skills in debriefing, incident analysis and disclosure.
Content includes generic industrial accidents, mishaps and near misses; human factors, psychology and surgical decision making, team theory and critical incident debriefing, incident analysis and disclosure.

The course will deliver focused sessions on applied Microsurgical anatomy, and practical training in Microsurgery - Micro vascular and micro neural techniques. Real time demonstrations, Video, other visual and printed material will be used to aid teaching and to supplement the "eyes on scope" sessions. Sessions will comprise of brief lecture, demonstration of techniques to be developed in the class, followed by supervised Microsurgical practice with set objectives and standards. Students will keep a detailed log book and present a discussion paper on an element of Microsurgery they find challenging or stimulating.

The course will deliver focused sessions on applied laparoscopic anatomy, pertinent to specific procedures in colorectal, upper gastrointestinal, general and urological surgery. Video, other visual and others material will be used to aid teaching of the abdominal, pelvic and retroperitoneal laparoscopic anatomy involved in these procedures. Printed material and worksheets will be read and completed prior to each session. Sessions will comprise five 2-hour sessions and one weekend half-day anatomy workshop.

Over 15,000 Australians have or will develop end-stage organ failure this year, and this number is expected to grow exponentially with the rise in underlying conditions such as diabetes and hepatitis C. Organ transplantation is thus becoming increasingly important as a therapeutic modality. This unit of study will introduce students to the fundamental principles of transplantation immunobiology, which are essential to the understanding of clinical solid organ transplantation. This unit is a prerequisite or co-requisite for students wishing to undertake SURG5022, Principles and Practice of Transplantation, and for students completing a transplantation project for their dissertation. The unit contains an introductory module and 5 learning modules, which students work through at their own pace. These modules are: 2. Overview of the Immune System, 3. MHC Biology, Antigen Presentation and Allorecognition, 4. Effector mechanisms in Transplant Rejection, 5. Brain Death, Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury and Innate Immune Responses in Transplantation, and 6. Transplantation Tolerance. Each module contains online lectures and links to recommended reading, followed by a series of short-answer questions.

Over 15,000 Australians have or will develop end-stage organ failure this year, and this number is expected to grow exponentially with the rise in underlying conditions such as diabetes and hepatitis C. Organ transplantation is thus becoming increasingly important as a therapeutic modality. This unit of study will provide an overview of the surgical and medical management of solid organ transplant donors and recipients. Course participants will also explore the demographics, underlying conditions and co-morbidities of transplant recipients, the role of randomised clinical trials in the management of transplant immunosuppression, and the ethical aspects of transplantation. The major learning activities of this unit will be based around six cases in clinical transplantation.

The objective of this unit of study is for participants to develop greater understanding of the operative anatomy, pathophysiology and treatment options for complex hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases by laparoscopic or open means. This unit of study will introduce participants to key areas of operative anatomy, pathology, imaging and surgical techniques at an advanced level. By the end of the course, participants will have developed the ability to critically appraised contemporary hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgical practice.

Two set of competencies that are essential for a career in surgery will be taught ¿ firstly, the non clinical competencies of leadership, communication, collaboration, health advocacy, scholar and teacher plus the essentials of ethics and health law, and secondly the essential technical skills involved with open and endoscopic/laparoscopic surgery.

This Unit of Study teaches the Physiology required for surgeons, and examined in the RACS Surgical Science Examination. The content will be based on Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology plus Respiratory Physiology - The Essentials JB West. The Unit of Study also teaches the Pharmacology required for surgeons.

The aim of this course is to prepare the student for the Anatomy component of the Part 1 examination of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Each of the 8 modules has three components:
i) Identification of tagged anatomical structures in wet prosections of the anatomical area for the session
ii) Multiple choice question (MCQ) exercises
iii) "Spot" questions on anatomical prosection photographs
The methodology used in the latter two components is similar to that used by RACS in the Part 1 examination. The 8 modules comprise: upper limb (2), lower limb (2), head and neck (4), thorax (1), abdomen (3), and pelvis (1). Self directed study is required before each of the sessions.

The objective of this unit is to provide candidates with an understanding of key methodological concepts of level one evidence based studies needed to conduct high quality surgical research. It will cover basic concepts on how to identify when is surgery research, principles of good clinical research practice and provide the necessary skills on how to measure the quality of care. Key topics focus on how to identify, appraise, select and synthesise a systematic review and meta-analysis. The use of databases and registries and how to best present statistical analysis and summarise data. This unit will provide candidates with the skills to measure the quality of surgical care as well as evaluate surgical performance and measures of effects. Candidates will be able to critically appraise published statistics and learn to identify publication bias before applying the findings to their own clinical practice. Introductory Biostatistics (PUBH5018) is not a pre-requisite, however it is recommended.

The objective of this unit is to introduce candidates to the basic concepts of innovation. Participants will be able to identify and evaluate surgical innovation as well as focus on the methodological and practical challenges to rigorous surgical research. Candidates will be have the skills to design and complete level one evidence based research in surgery with a key focus on randomised and non-randomised controlled trials. The course will evaluate the complexity of surgical innovation and how to identify related factors influencing outcome. Candidates should be able to identify challenges facing the surgical research community when performing an evaluation of a therapeutic, procedure-based intervention. How to pinpoint the issues and deconstruct these into constituent methodological parts such that several important areas will be targeted for developing a systematic process that would guide appropriate, evidence based surgical practice. Ethical aspects in research and innovation will be addressed and the process of translational research will be reviewed. Other broad topics will focus on surgical oncology and survival analysis; evaluating performance when measuring the value of surgical research and the key concepts in diagnostic tests and accuracy in surgery.

Breast surgery requires comprehensive knowledge of the basic sciences of the breast and also the various elements of benign breast diseases. This unit of study aims to prepare candidates for a career in breast surgery. The unit content focuses on:
1. The anatomy of the breast, axilla and donor sites for reconstruction flaps;
2. Anatomical variations and physiological changes in the breast and axilla;
3. Benign breast diseases including mastitis, mastalgia, nipple discharge and aberrations of normal development and involution (ANDI); and
4. Current radiological modalities in breast disease imaging and risk assessment for patients.

Breast surgery requires a thorough knowledge of the science and management of malignant breast disease. This unit of study aims to prepare the post fellowship candidate for a career in breast surgery. The content focuses on the pathology and recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of malignant breast disease. Candidates will gain an in depth understanding of: the available prognostic assessment tools; the multidisciplinary care of breast cancer patients, including adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy as well as the integral role of the breast care nurse and other allied health staff; risk reduction interventions and survivorship issues. Specific surgical decision algorithms and surgical options for malignant and insitu disease will be thoroughly explored and explained.