MEDS90025: Transition to Practice

MDRP2
Progress Reports (3 short reports, submitted at 6 week intervals, accompanied by supervisor reports), throughout semester (10%) Note: 10% if all 3 submitted, 0% if < 3 submitted.
Literature review, 5000 words, due mid-semester (week 11 of 22 week subject) (30%)
Journal-style monograph describing the research (suitable for peer review, with author instructions), 4000 words, due at end of semester (40%) [Hurdle requirement]
Poster presentation at Student Conference 4, 1500 word equivalent, end of semester (10%)
Supervisor evaluation, end of semester (10%)
Satisfactory standard in professional behaviour, as demonstrated by observed Professional Behaviour Assessment [Hurdle requirement]

TTP
Situational Judgement Tests, written, 2 x 80 minutes, during term [Pass/Fail]
Satisfactory performance in simulation exercises (basic life support), during term [Pass/Fail]

Vocational Selective
Safety and Quality Improvement Project Plan, 1000 words (eg. patient safety, infection control, clinical audit), during term [Pass/Fail]
Supervisor report (using structured report form), end of term [Pass/Fail]
Case Based Discussion, 2 x 30 minutes each, during term [Pass/Fail]

Trainee Intern
Case Based Discussion, 2 x 30 minutes each, during term [Pass/Fail]
Multisource feedback (coordinated by supervising intern) using structured feedback form, x 2 (one at the end of each term) [Pass/Fail]
Log Book - satisfactory completion of clinical tasks as specified in each rotation
Applied Clinical Knowledge Test, 2 x 2 hr MCQ exam, end of term [Pass/Fail]

MDRP2
Depending on the project as well as your supervisor, this can either be extremely relaxed or intensive. The main aim of the project is to give you an opportunity to conduct your own research project that you can potentially present and publish. While some students do have the opportunity to go to conferences, sometimes you simply won't be able to due to the nature of your project. Many people continue on with it as junior doctors, so don't be too discouraged if you don't get those chances yet.
Every person will have their own unique experience with this subject, but the most general advice I can give is to be familiar with your topic, regularly communicate with your supervisor (or your team), actively maintain your curiosity and ask questions, and try to be as independent as you can. Since this does take up the first six months of the year, I would encourage you to still go onto the wards and get some clinical exposure - otherwise you will be severely deskilled by the time interviews and TTP come about. Some clinical schools run several clinical skill tutorials throughout the term, but not all do.

PMCV Internship Match
This will be quite a stressful part of the year for you, so it's best to get started early. The Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria (PMCV) is responsible for matching you with health services that you've preferenced. There is an excellent explanation into the process here.
Unlike other states, the Victorian match is merit-based. Different health services will have their own requirements and weighting, which can include:

• Z score
• Cover letter
• Standardised CV
• Interview (video vs. panel vs. MMI)
• Clinical reference
• Non-clinical reference

My advice would be to get started on your cover letters early (late March-early April) and definitely do not forget your interview preparation. Most interviews are conducted in early-mid June, and the match results are out in July. Most people try to use their research supervisor as a reference, but be careful about who you pick as you cannot de-nominate them. You should pick someone who you are pretty confident will give a good reference, and they must have clinically supervised you. The more recent the reference, the better. There is also no "gaming" the match as it runs similar to the GEMSAS and VCAT matches. Go to the information sessions of all the health services, and then draw up a list of what hospitals you want to go to, but do not fill up your preferences with hospitals you're not likely to get into as you'll run the risk of being unmatched.

Varies.

2019