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.

The unit has four major content areas delivered as modules covering:- An understanding Q&S in Healthcare; Professional and ethical practice; Understanding systems and the effect of complexity on patient care; Improving Healthcare. At the end of the unit students will: understand the background to quality and safety in health care, from Australian and international perspectives; understand the nature of health care error including the methods of error detection and monitoring, and quality indicators; understand the role of good communication and other professional responsibilities in quality and safety in healthcare; have developed an understanding of clinical governance, accountability and systems management; have considered methods for improving healthcare such as getting research into practice, clinical practice guidelines and clinical practice improvement. This unit consists of online discussions and activities based around key provided readings and other resources.

In this unit of study, the student will develop his/her own research proposal, to a standard suitable for a peer-reviewed granting body. Each section of a grant proposal (Aims, Background/Significance, Methods, Analysis) will be discussed, with the student presenting and refining the corresponding section of his/her own proposal in a synchronous online workshop setting. This will then be complemented by online presentations from experienced researchers on the practical aspects of clinical research, followed by synchronous online class discussion. Topics include: observational studies, randomized controlled trials, diagnostic test evaluation, qualitative studies, funding application, ethical approval, publication strategies and grant administration. The unit will conclude with a one-day, face- to-face, mandatory workshop- where students will learn about budgeting, peer review of research grants, and present their completed research proposal.

In order to obtain and interpret information regarding the function of the neural systems, clinicians must be able to accurately record and quantify electrical signals from a myriad of neurological structures. This unit of study describes the methods by which these electrical signals are recorded, processed and presented for interpretation, examines the neurological systems and processes responsible for the signal generation and introduces the role of clinical neurophysiology in diagnosis of systemic disease.

Electroencephalography (EEG) forms the basis of multiple neurophysiological techniques and is an extremely powerful tool in its own right. This unit will introduce the standardised systems and nomenclature for EEG recordings, examine the characteristics of normal recordings and illustrate the pathological changes associated with intracranial lesions, systemic disease and critical illness. The utility of EEG in the diagnosis and management of seizure disorders will be examined in detail.

Clinical neurophysiologists are required to have expertise in a number of different diagnostic and monitoring modalities. This unit will cover the most commonly used diagnostic techniques (other than EEG) and will particularly focus on nerve conduction studies and sensory evoked potential recordings.

This unit covers advanced aspects of diagnostic electroencephalography, including the specific technical requirements for continuous video EEG monitoring, seizure recognition during invasive EEG monitoring, current techniques in cortical mapping of seizures and its utility in tailored cortical resection.

Despite their widespread use, the effect of general anaesthetic agents on the brain and spinal cord is still poorly understood. Wide interpatient variability in responses to these agents, intraoperative hemodynamic fluctuations and underlying disease processes are all threats to the central nervous system. This unit will examine the techniques available to monitor the function and wellbeing of the brain and nervous system during anaesthesia and surgery.

Unexpected postoperative motor deficit is arguably one of the most devastating potential complications of surgery. This unit will examine the methods used for monitoring the function and safety of cranial and peripheral motor nerves, the techniques used for risk reduction during spinal instrumentation and the use of motor evoked potential monitoring in both spinal and non-spinal surgery.

Inadvertent intraoperative damage to the sensory components of the nervous system is often subtle and difficult to predict. This unit focuses on intraoperative monitoring of the somatosensory and auditory systems for both neurological and non-neurological surgery. The rationale for test selection for various surgical procedures is also examined.

Critical care medicine is practiced in highly charged and stressful settings and requires many decisions to be made quickly with limited information and resources. There are also many 'players' and confusion and miscommunication can easily occur. The hierarchical nature of hospital based practice and tribal differences between professions bring their own challenges. This unit of study aims to help clinicians develop decision making and high level communication skills in order to effectively care for patients, engage carers and relatives and perform optimally as a team member or leader. The content is built around complex clinical cases and includes simulations using actors and experts.

Almost all healthcare professionals are involved in education and training throughout their careers. This Unit of Study provides a practical introduction to the theory and practice of teaching and learning in the health professional environment. The unit will cover 3 main areas: planning for and facilitating learning in the clinical environment; assessing performance and providing constructive feedback; fostering the development of students as professionals. Each of these areas will be underpinned by best evidence from clinical education research and will address current challenges and opportunities in the learning environment. This will include the role of new technologies from the perspective of both educators and learners. Participants in the course will gain a framework they can use to support their teaching, and will develop a portfolio of evidence to support their professional development as clinician educators.

Candidates will work on an independent research project in an area of specific interest relevant to their master degree. The project may take the form of a systematic review of the literature, a case series, survey or other project acceptable to the project supervisor. Candidates in some disciplines may be able to undertake a work placement and will be required to negotiate the form of scholarly written work, related to their placement, to be submitted for assessment. It is essential where there is the use of patient information or patient enrolment onto a study that appropriate ethics approval is gained from the governing body where the project will take place. On completion of the project/work placement the successful candidate will be able to plan and execute a substantial research project or scholarly work . Where appropriate students will prepare a work suitable for publication. A candidate must be enrolled in order to submit their project report/dissertation/publication. If the candidate cannot submit their work erolling once in MEDF5301 or once in both Part A and Part B then they must re-enrol in a minimum of six credit points of project units of study, with the concomitant financial liability, every semester until they submit.

Candidates will work on an independent research project in an area of specific interest relevant to their master degree. The project may take the form of a systematic review of the literature, a case series, survey or other project acceptable to the project supervisor. Candidates in some disciplines may be able to undertake a work placement and will be required to negotiate the form of scholarly written work, related to their placement, to be submitted for assessment. It is essential where there is the use of patient information or patient enrolment onto a study that appropriate ethics approval is gained from the governing body where the project will take place. On completion of the project/work placement the successful candidate will be able to plan and execute a substantial research project or scholarly work. Where appropriate students will prepare a work suitable for publication. A candidate must be enrolled in order to submit their project report/dissertation/publication. If the candidate cannot submit their work erolling once in MEDF5301 or once in both Part A and Part B then they must re-enrol in a minimum of six credit points of project units of study, with the concomitant financial liability, every semester until they submit.

Candidates will work on an independent research project in an area of specific interest relevant to their master degree. The project may take the form of a systematic review of the literature, a case series, survey or other project acceptable to the project supervisor. Candidates in some disciplines may be able to undertake a work placement and will be required to negotiate the form of scholarly written work, related to their placement, to be submitted for assessment. It is essential where there is the use of patient information or patient enrolment onto a study that appropriate ethics approval is gained from the governing body where the project will take place. On completion of the project/work placement the successful candidate will be able to plan and execute a substantial research project or scholarly work. Where appropriate students will prepare a work suitable for publication. A candidate must be enrolled in order to submit their project report/dissertation/publication. If the candidate cannot submit their work erolling once in MEDF5301 or once in both Part A and Part B then they must re-enrol in a minimum of six credit points of project units of study, with the concomitant financial liability, every semester until they submit.

To introduce and develop participants understanding about the basic neuroscience of pain and the interrelationship between psychological, physiological and environmental processes in pain. Neuro-anatomical, physiological, pharmacological, and biochemical mechanisms involved in nociception, including peripheral and central sensitisation are discussed. Theoretical bases are introduced and the ways in which psychological and environmental factors modify or maintain pain perception and behaviour are explored.

To introduce participants to the core principles of pain assessment, treatment and management. Participants consider the biopsychosocial model and the scientific basis for assessment, diagnosis and treatment. They explore principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, together with routes of drug administration. The role of physiotherapy and rehabilitation management, and the use of procedures such as neural blockade, simulation techniques and surgery are also considered.

The aims of this unit are to provide a theoretical framework for the management of acute pain, to examine the specific contributors that are important in the development of acute pain conditions and to examine pharmacological and other approaches used in the management of acute pain. Topics that will be covered will include the principles of pre-emptive analgesia and evidence of effectiveness in preventing pain, pharmacological management of acute pain including approaches such as patient controlled analgesia, adjunctive approaches in managing acute pain and the transition from acute to chronic pain.

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.