GUMS
guide to first year
A WIN
R! E H C OU V L E TRAV TO BE WON
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from the editors Hello dear Medicine Newbies! Welcome to the GUMS Guide to First Year. We, your faithful editors, along with our GUMS compadres, hope to impart some wise words to help you through the next few months. Keep on reading for welcomes from some of the GUMS exec that you will get to know during your time at Griffith, some insider tips on how to study, where to eat and some handy apps, a translation of the attendance policy, and how to win over your PBL with food! We could ramble on at you for days about the benefits of preparing for anatomy labs beforehand (but really, do that), why you should sleep with Talley and O’Connor beneath your pillow, and how to get discounts on your furniture using the active listening techniques you’ll learn, but surely you’ll hear a lot of that in your first few weeks! So we’ll keep our advice giving short:
contents President’s Welcome ........................... 3 Getting involved with GUMS ................ 4 What’s an AMSA? .................................4 Med revue ............................................ 5 Studying like a pro ............................... 5 Health and wellbeing ........................... 6 Surviving first year from a non-science background .......................................... 7 Academic welcome .............................. 8 Guide to the participation guidelines......9 PBL food...............................................10 Apps and handy resources...................10
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We’ll be in touch throughout the year with GUMS publications – so if you attend a rad conference, feel like writing an article for us or even have photos from GUMS events, send us an email! Yours in print, Nicola and Jasmine Publications Officers 2014
president’s welcome To the Class of 2017, Welcome to first year! Only 1460 days until you can officially call yourself Doctor, and GUMS is here to make sure that time flies past. When starting first year the best advice I can give is; DON’T PANIC. Many will tell you that the key to first year is to stay on top of your LOs, not to skip lectures and to memorize your Talley and O’Connor. Although this is great advice, I can’t impart on you enough the importance of enjoying yourself over the next year. Medical School is tough and there’ll be times when you worry it’s too much, that you’ve made a mistake, and that this course isn’t for you. Don’t worry – this is normal. We’ve all had a bout of Med-doubt-itis. But look around you, you have just entered a fellowship with people like yourself, here to learn the same things, tread the same path – you’ll never be without a Griffith Medical colleague willing to lend a hand. The best way I can describe entering med school is to compare it to having a baby – yes, I really did just say that, but hear me out. Like having a baby, the preparation process for Medical School takes months to finally achieve its goal, it’s hard from start to finish until you finally reach the climatic conclusion (after sitting GAMSAT or UMAT, I hope your real life coital experiences aren’t as traumatic). But eventually the first day of med school arrives. Med School is not quite as cute and cuddly as you expected, and involves slightly more crying and bodily fluids than anticipated, but just like a newborn all your friends and family will congratulate you on your great success. Coming home from med parties will feel like walking again for the first time, and learning the Medical Jargon will feel like saying your first words. Slowly as it grows, it will begin to define who you are, until eventually you can’t imagine your life without being a Medical Student. However, like all good baby sitters, GUMS is here for you, and first year is the best opportunity you’ll have to get involved. Med school is a time to enjoy. Ultimately, it’s the experiences that you have over these 4 years that will define the people and therefore the practitioners you will become, and there’s no better time to start getting involved than first year! Griffith University Medicine Society (GUMS) was founded Good luck, and all the best! in 2005, and has since grown into a respected organisaMikaela Seymour, GUMS President 2014 tion representing the medical students of Griffith University. GUMS provides advocacy and support through its academic, social, wellbeing and community activities. In 2014, we aim to: - advance and promote the interests of students - provide a supportive setting and promote healthy living and positive coping mechanisms - enrich the school’s social and academic environment - promote the health of the community through community projects and charity functions - promote positive interactions with students to members of the health care field GUMS is your society - sign up and join in!
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getting involved with gums If you’re an extra-curricular junkie, there are plenty of ways you can get involved with GUMS already. So what are you waiting for, keen beans? Read on and get involved! if you’re interested in either of the below positions, please email Mikaela on president@gums.org.au for Team, welcome to Medicine. You’re further info. going to be brilliant, and you’re going to get through. Trust me, you’re really much First Year Representative better prepared for this than you think. The First Year Representative is the liaison between the School of Medicine, GUMS and When you begin this course you First Year. You will attend regular 1&2 Year Meetwill be rapidly exposed to a broad range ings with the School with the support of Jenna of opportunities and all of them, if pursued, Weetman, GUMS advocacy officer, and the 2nd will be rewarding and ultimately beneficial year Representative. You will need to gauge the to you in a variety of ways. Your cohort general opinion and feedback of your year level will splinter into a multitude of proactive and communicate on their behalf to the school. and inspiring activities and you will have to choose how much, or how little, you would like to engage with ‘extra-curricuFirst Year Social Chair lar medicine’. There will be some events Medical students are a unique group in that that you will be able to attend, some that we like to study hard and play hard. Renowned you can’t, and there will be others that for having some of the best events on the Grifyou should make the time for. Involvefith Social Calendar, GUMS social events are ment in the Australian Medical Students second to none. As year one Chair you will be Association (AMSA) is one of the latter. supported by our GUMS Social Officer, Angelica Triant, to help organize social events specificalAMSA is an organisation that was built ly for your year – namely End of Exam Parties. to be inspiring. Each year it hosts: This position is appropriate for a single person • Three large, student-run, conferor a pair of keen individuals to apply together. ences – Global Health Conference (GHC),
What’s an AMSA?
the National Leadership Development Seminar (NLDS), and ‘Convention’ (the largest student conference in the world); • Three Councils – events in which representatives from every Medical School in the country meet to exchange information, ideas and discuss policies that have a national effect; • And it runs, or supports, the most sophisticated national advocacy campaigns of any student organisation in the country; • It also hosts the best parties that you will ever experience. Period. And in the stressful times, that can really count for something.
Beyond all of this though, AMSA offers you a chance to truly be immersed in the culture of Medicine. It will give you a tremendous amount of pride in your university; and, if you’re good enough, a fellowship in the Royal Australian College of ‘remier League (‘rink and learn…). Every medical student who attends an AMSA Conference is an AMSA Ranger; and you, well, you’re about to become a Griffith Ranger… be proud, we’re looking forward to welcoming you into the fold. Chris Maguire AMSA Representative 2014
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med revue Hi first years! First of all, welcome to med school! I’m one of the convenors for med revue, and my job is to tell you that it is by FAR one of the best ways to get involved with GUMS. Med revue is a musical parody of the many facets of med school and the various ridiculous people and situations that make it up. But, what it REALLY is, is a lot of fun! Med revue is all-singing, all-dancing, all-acting, and all-inclusive. We’re looking for people with any talent (or no talent) who are interested in performing as a singer/dancer/actor or even all three. We have big roles and small roles, and everything in between. If you’ve never been on stage before, this is the best way to start; and if you’re a seasoned actor, then we can’t wait to work with you. For those of you with no dramatic inclination, we are always looking for people with a sense of humour to help us write skits and scenes, musicians who want to perform in our band or creative types to help make our sets, props and costumes a reality. If NONE of these things appeal to you, then we would love for you to come along to one of the performances on a night in August, I can guarantee a lot of laughs and fun. See you around, Pat Toohey Med Revue Convenor 2014
top tips - studying like a pro 1. Keep on top of your LOs! Reviewing the information at the end of the week helps it to sink in. Avoiding the temptation to copy and paste from supernotes, textbooks and LIs also helps cement your learning.
4. Take regular breaks, and make sure you leave the house at some point. Apps like pomodoro timers (Promodoro on iPad, Pomodroido on android) are the best!
2. Form a study group. Studying in a group and 5. Set realistic study goals. Remember that helping keep each other accountable for staying there are only 24 hours in a day, and you should be sleeping for at least some of them. on track is a way to make sure you (and your friends!) don’t fall too far behind. Stay tuned for an 6. Shake things up. If you get stuck - switch exciting new GUMS project here.... topics, go for a walk, have a 30 second dance 3. YouTube is your friend. Handwritten tutorials, party. You’ll find a set of fresh eyes make a world of difference! MedCram and Khan academy are awesome!
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health and wellbeing Heya First Years! My name is Jacqui Fradley and I’m your wellbeing officer for the year! Wellbeing is incredibly important to us at GUMS. You are probably already aware that Medicine is a course that is incredibly mentally and physically demanding. So it is important that you all take the time to stay healthy. Physical Health I know a lot of people are living mainly off centrelink, or their family, to get through this degree. Your funds are definitely limited. However this doesn’t mean you can’t afford to be healthy. Last year I was the head author of the GUMS cookbook. You can find this on the GUMS website, and it can help you with some food ideas (it also has recipes for PBL food!). Gym memberships can also be expensive, but you are now living on the Gold Coast! Take the time to go to the beach and enjoy yourself. You don’t have to be in a cramped gym to stay active. Also keep an eye out for the Gold Coast City Council’s Active and Healthy Program (guide on their website) that provides free and cheap physical activity options such as yoga, pilates, running groups, cooking classes or even community gardens. On that note- please wear sunscreen. The sun is evil and you will get burnt. Badly. If you’ve played a sport during schooldon’t give it up. Check out GUMS sports and local clubs for social sports Mental Health Medical students and doctors have a higher rate of mental health problems than many other career choices. We are short on time, and highly in demand. Last year many medical students underwent a Mental Health First Aid course. This can be done for free until June this year, and we at GUMS highly recommend doing it. You never know when it might come in handy for you, or your closest friends. Details will be posted on the GUMS wellbeing facebook page! I will be hosting a congratulatory event for all those that complete the course. The university offers free counselling services for those who may need it, as does Headspace in Southport.
Get to know your peers. Nobody expects everyone to get along, but you will quickly learn that the bonds of Medicine are incredibly tight. You will study with them, party with them, most likely complain to them and they will be the best support for your mental health that you can ask for. I can honestly say that the friends I have made so far have become my family, and I know I couldn’t have gotten through first year without them. Events for the year Parasympathetic in the Park- This is a family friendly event to be held in Broadbeach. It’s a fun, easy way to spend a Sunday Massage Day/s- Im hoping to have 2 of these through the year. This will offer you a well-deserved break with free massages! Brunch- This will be held around ¾ of the way through the year. Free food, lots of baked goods and another excuse to relax with your peers. This will also be where we launch our annual cookbook. (If you, or anyone you know, has some amazing recipes to donate, please get into contact with me) Final Note: I think the most important thing when it comes to wellbeing is to find out what works best for you. Don’t push yourself too hard if it’s not working for you. Make sure you find time for non medicine activities. For me personally I was introduced to an adult ballet class. For that one hour lesson, medicine just melts away (on that note, contact me if you have any interest in doing ballet/contemporary). As a general chill out I would recommend the movies at Australia Fair .They are super cheap and a good way to turn your brain off. (Eds: Harbour town cinemas are also cheap. Both of them have $20 Gold Class tickets, AWESOME! Don’t forget your student ID if you keep it on your lanyard!). Don’t forget I am always free for a chat if you need as well! Find me on facebook or shoot me an email at wellbeing@gums.org.au Jacqui Fradely Health and Wellbeing Officer 2014
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surviving first year from a non-science background By Nathan Chandra So you’ve made it into Medicine! Congratulations, but don’t do it; turn back while you can and escape with your soul intact. This brings me to my first tip – don’t believe anyone who says first year is near impossible without a science background. It’s not even the slightest bit close to impossible and just knowing a few handy tips will make your life a lot easier. If you’ve made it this far, you’ll make it through first year.
Tip #0:
There’s no such thing as Tip #0 but if there were, it would be to be a little more relaxed than you are right now (assuming you’re worried like I was at the beginning of first year). There are plenty of people who were in the same boat as you and survived.
Tip #1:
Keep up with the work. Your science-y mates might not need to study as hard in the first 6 months of first year but you should for three reasons. Firstly, it makes the last 6 months of the year far more manageable. Secondly, it helps you to get into a routine and improve on said routine when it comes to crunch time at the year’s end. Finally and most importantly, it makes you look like some sort of celestial hero when you do answer a science-y question for the first time.
Tip #2:
If it’s reviewed, you should review it. You can’t study everything in the first year, and the med school can’t teach everything in the first year either. If there seems to be a focus on a particular topic, it should be higher on your priority list. However, try not to neglect any topic intentionally.
Tip #3:
Having a priority list in the first place keeps you sane. Don’t go crazy over the details (I wish I knew this earlier). Focus on big-picture concepts and on linking them together; this way, it’s also easier to remember. Know key elements rather than a whole truckload of random facts.
Tip #4:
Doing activities other than studying keeps you sane. The student-run groups and activities are all good! There’s plenty of time to do the sports and hobbies you enjoy so don’t give them up for medicine. Working in first year is manageable; if you can, keep your work hours flexible and adjust as you go along in the year. The timetable changes often and significantly so it can be hard to know when you don’t have to be at uni.
Tip #5:
Utilise the great wisdom of your colleagues. Talk to students in other years and work/study together with your fellow classmates. Don’t take everything as gospel, especially when talking about assessments from previous years. However, do listen to them if they tell you that thou shalt pass. That’s all I have to say! A lot of first year is learning how you learn best so give it a bit of time and you’ll soon be so science-y you won’t even know how to grammar properly. Have fun and see you around G40!
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academic welcome What do you call a medical student waiting to start their first day of medical school? An emotional wreck. Or, at least, I was. I’m sure you’re all dying for my hero back story but I can assure you, all will be revealed soon enough! For now, I’m here to welcome everyone to the Griffith Medical Program. Yes, Grif-FITH. Not Griftafe! Rule number 1 about studying here, you represent your university with pride! Rule number 2 is to always relax. You may feel helpless/ lost/ confused/ aroused(?) But rest assured, you are going to get tonnes of support from us! My name is Anne and I am your GUMS* Academic Officer for 2014. I will be overseeing and helping my fellow Academic Representatives in various events and activities being held this year. All of which I’m sure we’ll go through so no need to discuss nitty gritty details here. Let’s keep it light. Basically, our Academic Team will run all academic related events and activities. This can be anything from holding clinical skills practice sessions to hosting events in relation to your futures as doctors. What’s especially great about this role is that your participation aids our efficiency. We’re aiming to be an attentive and versatile team that will be happy to take on suggestions and requests on board. We are here to serve YOU so please participate and talk to us! I’ve been asked to write about my experience in first year and I thought I’d write up the top 5 things to look out for in first year: 1) Always stay on top of your work. Even if you’re from a science background, the rate at which content is being delivered can overwhelm you so don’t get complacent. Keep up with your Learning Objectives and always complete your anatomy notes before the labs. 2) Attend social events as much as you can! All work and no play will drive you mad! Also, its never a bad thing to have friends from different years *cough*pro tips*cough* 3) Study for your career, not the test. This should be apparent to everyone. The sooner you start learning for your job, the better doctor you will be. 4) Be nice. We’re a small community so being nice to everyone will go a long way (people will share their notes with you). 5) Learn to bake. This is especially crucial for PBL sessions. I can tell you safely that the people who bring cake for PBL are never hated. (Disclaimer: if eating cake more than twice a week, please use stairs instead of lifts to get to classes). Well, there you have it, folks! A <i>concise</i> summary of what first year has in store for you. If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to approach me at any time. You can also add me on Facebook or email me! I wish you all the very best and a fantastic year ahead :-) Anne Gonzalves academic@gums.org.au GUMS Academic Officer 2014
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guide to the participation guidelines Further Questions? See the full guidelines, L@G > 2014 intake > Program Information > Policies, Forms and guidelines > Participation guideline The MBBS program is designed to take you from fresh firstie, to the safe intern. As such, the Medical School has expected standards of professionalism, including attendance and punctuality. (Not to mention that the university, community, patients and physicians invest a significant amount of time and money into educating us medical students). As a result, the school views attendance at all organised activities as paramount and all commencing students sign an agreement (submitted with all the orientation paperwork) to be available for potential academic requirements between 8am-6pm, Monday - Friday (with the exception of a few placements which may occur outside these times although notice will be given). The Medical School’s participation policy, and the possible penalties for absenteeism, reflects the importance of attendance to all compulsory timetabled activities and is summarised below:
Penalties: Attendance: • It is expected that students will attend all These are incurred for each absence without a certificate and begin once the student has had 4 total ab compulsory activities • Punctuality is expected with students on sences (regardless of the theme). For each absence time, or within 10 minutes of the start time after this, a 1% penalty is subtracted from the final year score for the relevant theme. This % penalty is (in the unlikely case that you’re delayed) • Students are responsible for ensuring cumulative and increases with each subsequent ab that their attendance at these sessions is sence. Simply put: • 4 absences without medical certificate - correctly recorded. no penalty Compulsory activities include: 5 absences without medical certificate - • All placements (community, HBCT, GP, • Ambulance, Phlebotomy etc) 1% penalty for the relevant theme 6 absences without medical certificate - • All Clinical Skills sessions, communication • 2% penalty for the relevant theme workshops and PBLs so on and so forth • Compulsory seminars and symposiums • (self-care, indigenous/rural/mental health Eg: Joffrey missed 2x PBLs and 2x DP workshops early in the year without a certificate, incur etc.) As a general rule, absence for injury or illness, with ring no penalty (4x compulsory sessions). He then a valid medical certificate, is acceptable (these must missed 1x HBCT session, incurring a 1% penalty on be handed in at Medical Reception). However, there his final DnP grade. He also then missed a compulis an exception to this rule, please see the penalties sory self-care day symposium incurring a 2% penalty section below (the 15% rule). In addition, you are al- on his DLEPP grade. Finally, he then missed a Friday lowed a maximum of 4 absences over the academic PBL, incurring a 3% penalty on his DKHI grade. He is year, without a medical certificate, without incurring probably also the worst ever king of Westeros, therepenalties. fore deserves this academic penalty. 15% rule: In addition to the above, if you miss >15% of the total number of compulsory sessions in the whole year, or DKHI, or DP, you automatically fail that theme, and thus the year. *This applies for ANY reason, with or without a medical certificate. • Eg: If there were 40 compulsory DnP sessions in a year (Hospital, clinical skills, c o m m u n i c a t i o n and placement sessions), missing 6 of these, would meet and exceed the 15% limit resulting in failure of the theme. • Absenteeism due to the 15% rule prevents you from sitting the final assessments for the year, and thus from passing the year. Final exception, certain placements are requirements of your academic year and cannot be missed (these are clearly announced as such). Should injury or illness etc stand to interfere with your ability to make one of these sessions, contact the relevant staff member (preferably by calling the School of Medicine) to discuss options for alternate/ make up sessions. Be wary of common pitfall - being unaware of the participation guidelines and penalties, forgetting to sign the attendance record, forgetting to get one signed by the supervising clinician, forgetting to hand in attendance records, losing an attendance record, arriving more than 10 minutes late to any compulsory session, and losing track of absences.
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Jenna Weetman, GUMS Advocacy Officer 2014
pbl food When it comes to the PBL process, depending on your eloquence and degree of hunger, it can be argued that PBL food is just as, if not more, important than the LIs. As your PBL group meets twice a week throughout the year, your peers will thank you for providing healthy options. Here are a few tips for winning when it comes to PBL food. Firstly figure out if anyone in your group has any allergies or dietary requirements. If you ask, most people are more than happy to help explain what they can and can’t eat. For example most vegetarians will not consume any meat, while as a general rule vegans don’t consume animal products (including eggs and dairy)- if in doubt ask. Also as a PBL group figure out a standard- is the person in charge of bringing food bringing lunch for everyone or just something to nibble on? While shared experiences bring a group closer, when it comes to PBL we’re more thinking about experiences such as helping one another to decipher the complement cascade, rather than reminiscing about that time the group got gastro from that batch of [insert well meaning attempt at PBL food]. Leave that to Sophie Ablett and think food safety – while you will have access to fridges for storage and microwaves if needed in the common room keep things as easy for yourself as possible! Here are just a few ideaso Savoury muffins o Rice paper rolls o Mini quiches or frittata o Homemade pizza o Zucchini slice o You can’t go wrong with fresh fruit- fruit salad, platters or even just a bag of apples! o Soup in a flask with bread (for winter) o Running short on time? Swing buy the shops and grab some bread rolls or wraps, add a selection of fillings including ham, salami, cooked chicken, salad and have everyone make their own
apps + handy resources
While many of these are resources we’ve used ourselves, we can’t guarantee that the information in all these sites is correct and up to date. If in doubt, double check in a reliable textbook. Web resources Apps • Youtube - hand-written tutorials has Idea Sketch- I used to find it helpful to be able to make
some great stuff! • http://www.osceskills.com/e-learning- modules/ • Life in the Fast Lane – especially the ECGs http://lifeinthefastlane.com/ ecg-library/ • Medscape • Merck Manual • http://radiologymasterclass.co.uk/tut orials/tutorials.html • Geeky Medics - http://www.online-stopwatch.com/classroom-timers/ - just stay away from the C4 timer especially if you are studying somewhere quiet
a mind map when preparing for report back in PBL Speed anatomy - Fun and helps revise for anatomy labs Eponyms - for all the confusing diseases named after people Medscape - great for quickly looking things up Pomodoro timers - just get one. They’re the best study buddy! Lekh diagram - another useful app for mind mapping Express plus students - if you’re reporting to centrelink, this is way better than listening to classical music on hold for an hour....
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