510-591 Paediatrics

Credit Points

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The principal objectives are: (i) to allow students to develop an understanding of normal physical and emotional growth and development from birth through to late adolescence (ii) to diagnose and manage the common illnesses of children and adolescents (iii) to recognise in children and adolescents symptoms that may indicate a serious or uncommon disorder that requires referral to an appropriate specialist pediatrician or pediatric surgeon.

These objectives are achieved through a series of lectures, case presentations and tutorials, in the wards and outpatients at the Royal Children's Hospital and for two weeks in a metropolitan district or country base hospital. The subject matter covered includes pediatric medicine, pediatric surgery and child and adolescent psychiatry. The impact of illness in a child or adolescent on the family receives particular emphasis, as does the interaction between family functioning and childhood and adolescent illness and behaviour. Students are expected to gain knowledge of community facilities for the health care of children and adolescents. Students must develop skills in history taking and physical examination of children and adolescents and the appropriate use of special investigations. They learn how to establish rapport with patients and parents.

Assessment

A 2-hour written paper (30%); an Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) (approx. 2 hours) comprising clinical stations (40%) and a 1-hour short answer written paper (20%); case presentations and continuous internal assessment (10%).

Child Development Study: Completed work book and a 1500-2000 word essay. Students will not be permitted to sit the paediatric examination until the work book and essay are satisfactorily completed.

Prescribed Texts

• Robinson M J and Roberton D M, Practical Pediatrics. 3rd ed. Churchill Livingstone 1994.
• Staff at the Royal Children's Hospital, Pediatric Handbook. 5th ed Blackwell Scientific Publication, 1995.
• Hutson J M, Beasley S W and Woodward A A, Jones's Clinical Paediatric Surgery. 4th ed. Blackwell Scientific Publications 1991.