Department of Medical Student Education

Head: Associate Professor David Brewster

This has been a challenging time for all medical students. Although 2019 brought outstanding academic success for Cabrini medical students once more, as well as multiple publications and research grants, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges to our learning including remote learning from home for many of the students in the first half of 2020. Their resilience has been tested and their attitudes to this change have been inspiring. This courage displayed by our student body aligns itself with Cabrini’s mission.

Clinical Dean Associate Professor David Brewster, Cabrini-Monash University Clinical School Dr Abhay Umranikar, Acting Clinical Dean during COVID-19 Phase 1

Clinical Site Administrator Jennie McInerney, Cabrini-Monash University Clinical School

Clinical Educator Naomi Snowden, Cabrini-Monash University Clinical School

Highlights

The highlight of 2019 for our department occurred when Associate Professor David Brewster was asked to be a key speaker at the Kindness in Healthcare Conference run in Melbourne by the Hush Foundation and KPMG during the Gathering of Kindness week. This included a trip to Government House for lunch as well as the opportunity for two Cabrini medical students to present alongside Associate Professor Brewster at the conference. India Marks and Lauren Vallely discussed the kindness they have seen during their clinical rotation at Cabrini and the difference this has made to their educational journey so far. During our first lockdown in March, the year three Monash medical student placements were suspended and all teaching reverted to remote learning. Due to the reduction in elective surgery and clinical activity, we saw an opportunity to reach out to our Cabrini Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs) to see if they would have time to deliver remote teaching to our students. We had a great response and managed to set up quite a few lectures via zoom with some of our specialists. The students greatly appreciated the commitment from our VMOs and it definitely helped keep them engaged and positive during such a difficult and challenging period. Learning from senior medical staff of this calibre is a privilege the students value greatly.

Monash University undergraduates As a member of the Central Clinical School for Monash University, Cabrini provides high quality clinical placements for students from Monash University’s Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (MD) course, formerly Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). Associate Professor Brewster and Jennie McInerney continue to develop and oversee the undergraduate educational program at Cabrini. During 2019, approximately 260 Monash University students attended Cabrini for clinical rotations.

Senior Medical Staff Association research scholarship program Excellent engagement of Cabrini senior medical staff saw a hugely successful program again this year with 14 students each awarded $1500 research scholarships.

Third-year program Up to 29 medical students were placed simultaneously at Cabrini for six-week rotations in various specialties of medicine and surgery at Cabrini Malvern in 2019. “ProblemBased Learning” was conducted at The Alfred Hospital and an extremely popular “Curriculum Enhancement” program was conducted at Cabrini. Our Cabrini specialists ran a “Local Lectures Series” throughout the year and Naomi Snowden conducted weekly procedural skills training and simulation teaching. Students received a weekly bedside teaching session from their tutors and had summer research grants available.

Fourth-year program Thirty-two, fourth-year students experienced a four-week paediatric rotation at Cabrini Health under the supervision of Dr Debbie Kipen in 2019. Approximately 70 students experienced their Women’s Health ‘Mentor Week’ at Cabrini following a Cabrini Specialist.

Fifth-year program Approximately 80 fifth-year students completed a six-week pre-intern rotation at Cabrini. These placements occurred in many medical specialties and general surgery. Our registrars and supervising specialists provided valuable guidance and preparation to these students. The University of Notre Dame In the past financial year we have seen 33 final-year medical students from The University of Notre Dame (UND) rotate through Cabrini in the specialties of Cardiology; Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation; and Palliative Care. These students are all postgraduate students, having already completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant field and often having worked in that field before commencing their medical degree with UND. Three years ago, Cabrini introduced a Notre Dame Student Representative as a first point of contact to assist the smooth transition of students rotating at Cabrini and give us feedback first hand. Interestingly, UND has now introduced this successful concept with other healthcare education providers. Our student representative for the 2019 year was Olivia Szwarcberg and for 2020 is Katie Goldman. They have been great ambassadors for UND and for Cabrini. We have a large team of consultants and other health professionals who assist in the education of these medical students and give freely of their time. We thank them for the wonderful work they do. At the conclusion of each rotation students are given the opportunity to vote for the Cabrini/ UND Student Choice Award for excellence in teaching. Congratulations go to last year’s joint winners Dr Danielle Wilkins for her work in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology rotation and Associate Professor Natasha Michael for her work in the Palliative Care rotation.

Associate Professor David Brewster (right) and Jennie McInerney (left) with Third Year Monash Medical Student Class of 2019.

Due to the reduction in elective surgery and clinical activity, we saw an opportunity to reach out to our Cabrini Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs) to see if they would have time to deliver remote teaching to our students. We had a great response and managed to set up quite a few lectures via Zoom with some of our specialists.

JENNIE MCINERNEY

Broader Medical Education

STP Program

The Specialist Training Program at Cabrini continues to enhance our culture in terms of education, research, team work, patient care, attracting the best clinicians and supporting our medical student program. Federal Government support of the STP program continues to diminish. Partner hospitals have withdrawn support of partnerships due to challenges in recruiting sufficient trainees for their own needs, especially in general medicine. We have directly employed some trainees but this is an unsustainable model and does not attract the best talent. Trainees continue to report an excellent learning experience. Cabrini’s Transition to Consultant program led by Dr Tim Gray is a unique structure designed to help build resilience and skills to enjoy consultant life.

GP Series

The Institute’s long running GP series has come to an end! We have been privileged to work with local GP, Dr Neil McNab, who has led the education of GPs from the Cabrini Institute for decades. Thank you to all those who have provided education to these GPs who are important partners in the healthcare of our shared patients. GP education is now conducted through Cabrini’s Business Development function. We express our gratitude to Dr Neil McNab and Leesa Horrigan for their commitment to excellence.

Quick Clinical Updates Program

The Quick Clinical Updates series aims to provide education to our clinical workforce, particularly specialist trainees, about the translation of new research into practice across specialties. We are grateful to the local Cabrini expert clinicians and our special guests who generously share their knowledge. Our sessions this year included: • Atrial fibriliation – an update by Professor Peter Kistler • Diet and the microbiome in cancer management by Dr Despina Hondolias • Cabrini is autism aware: How can we improve the hospital experience for children with Autism Spectrum disorder by Kelly Sherman • Code Sepsis: improving outcomes in hospital acquired sepsis by Dr Ryan Salter • Innovation in patient experience and continuity of care in ED by Associate Professor Michael Ben-Meir • Exercise limitation in health and cardiopulmonary disease by Dr David Systrom • The role of comprehensive geriatric assessment in the management of pain by Associate Professor Benny Katz • Victoria’s real time prescription monitoring system by Dr Malcolm Dobbin • COVID-19 Update by Dr Fergus Kerr and Dr James Pollard • The COVID-19 Pandemic – opportunity from crisis by Professor Gary Richardson OAM • Precision medicine by Dr Anis Hamid