JCU Four application based programs • • • • Medicine Dentistry Physiotherapy Veterinary Science Top Tips for written applications • • • • • • • • • Read and follow the instructions Sign the Declaration and have it witnessed by an authorised person Check and double check before you send your application to us, as we can only accept one copy of the application per student Get it in before the closing date Look for opportunities that indicate your commitment/motivation to study health (e.g. work experience, volunteer work, paid employment) etc. Complete your answer in the space provided Write neatly so your answers can be read Keep abreast of current events as you may be asked to give your opinion on these should you be invited to an interview ( Medicine specific) Arrange no more than 3 letters of support James Cook- Medicine Applicants In 2012 ATAR 50% score 2581 500 interviews 150 places 96.10 – 99.95 50% Interview Interviews based on written application and predicted ATAR Notification by email one week prior to interview, times can’t be changed 1st Round 3-12 December 2nd round if places available 7-8 January Offers January 16 About the Course • • Relatively new course, since 1997. Six years to provide a broader clinical skill set and a greater depth of science knowledge necessary for remote doctors. JCU has 4200 clinical hours as opposed to an average of 3200 clinical hours throughout Australia. (not many med courses are 6 years , most are now 5 or 4 years) • 88% of graduates end up in non -capital cities, compared with 31% of other graduates. 67% of JCU graduates choose an internship outside the metropolitan area. “Interest in working in a rural area” 68% at entry to course, 76% at graduation • Home Groups act as study/peer support group, meeting once a week for pastoral support, curriculum and study skill support. Themes of the Course • • • • • • Rural and remote Tropical health (Note that 40% of the world’s population lives in tropical areas, this will soon increase to 50%) Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders Underserved Population (* this includes refugees, war torn communities, isolated communities e.g. placements in North Dakota, distance, isolation) Social accountability of health Health needs of Northern Australians Structure of course Overlapping wedge model comprising sciences and clinical practice. First 3 years basic science blocks – immunology, microbiology, physiology, pharmacology and so on. But placement from Year 1 as well .As student moves along the wedge decrease in time spent on science, increase in time spent on clinical sciences. Foundation Sciences Year 1 -3 Organised into 4 modules per semester, including one elective subject. This can be from any faculty. Most med courses don’t allow electives. Each module has 5 hours of class = 20 hours Plus a clinical studies workshop e.g. how to insert an IV, how to suture 24 hours total per week, very intensive Placement 4 weeks in a rural setting, GP and an emergency setting Years 4-6 Clinical Year 4. Four, 8 week terms. Clinical, public, private and rural term. Different types of placement E.g. live in rural community, immersed for 8 weeks Year 5 Six, 6 week terms. Mostly in hospitals. Terms cover child and adolescent health, reproductive and neonatal, mental health, adult health, General Practice. Year 6 Five, 8 week terms Rural internships Medical and surgery, Critical and crisis care, clinical elective In years 4 Either Townsville or Cairns In years 5 and 6 Townsville, Cairns, Mackay or Darwin There is a good chance you will need to move. You will need to find your own accommodation and pay for this.