5 minute read
Medical Education
St Andrew’s continues to support the University of Adelaide Year 6 MBBS students. The university and the hospital have worked collaboratively to enhance the learning of the medical students who have been selected to undertake a placement at St Andrew’s. The selection opportunity arises in the year prior to placement and is largely influenced by the program’s reputation, the experiences of predecessors and the availability of positions.
The program is a four-week placement in the specialities of breast and endocrine surgery and oncology; surgical urology and oncology; and medical, surgical and interventional cardiology. During the academic year, St Andrew’s can accommodate six students simultaneously, providing a diverse, interesting and practical exposure in their selected area.
Key to the success of the program is the ongoing commitment of the specialist consultants who generously share their knowledge, time and exposure to their private patients with the medical students. Dr Melissa Bochner, Dr John Bolt and Dr Peter Sage have extended further, acting as senior mentors and supervisors to their respective students. Dr Quoc Lam conducted a full morning suture workshop for 11 students which was highly valued by all who attended. This workshop was also supported by Mr David Carney of Johnson & Johnson, who supplied much of the suture practice equipment. The consensus of feedback for this workshop was very positive and complimentary:
‘A very beneficial, interesting and engaging practice in a safe environment. I greatly appreciated this opportunity. Thank you for your time and resources.’
The surgical and medical components of the student placement incorporate ward rounds, patient consultations and interactions, treatment planning, and the ability to scrub and be at the table for interventional and surgical procedures. These experiences are under the direct guidance of medical consultants and nurse specialists. The opportunities allow the student to observe the professional practice within the private hospital setting. It becomes an enlightenment for many students familiar with public hospital and university-based simulation experiences. Speciality specific learning opportunities are scheduled in areas of St Andrew’s chemotherapy suite, GenesisCare radiotherapy and oncology, robotic and cardiac surgery, anaesthesia, critical care, stomal therapy, breast clinic and breast care. Clinpath Pathology also hosts the students at their Mile End laboratory for a comprehensive tour of the anatomical facility and discussion with a histopathologist. Reverend Peter Morel offers his considerable knowledge in the realm of grief. His presentation entitled Sharing Sad News is particularly insightful which students expressed as:
‘A different perspective on grief and a reminder of what patients might be going through.’ and ‘very beneficial, valuable strategies to deliver bad news, highly relevant to the role of a doctor.’
Along with the South Australian community, COVID-19 has significantly impacted on the learning experiences of the medical student cohort, with the suspension of medical students. During 2022, the effect was predominately noted by the easing of South Australia’s community COVID-19 restrictions. Consequently, several students contracted COVID during the time of their placement. Individual plans were modified to ensure the comprehensive experiences expected during placement were achieved, following their return to health. The total number of students placed at St Andrew’s during 2021-2022 reached 19.
The Clinical Placement Facilitator position was vacated by Leanne Batten in February 2022. Moving into this role is Registered Nurse Heather Crosby, who has worked in the perioperative environment since 1983 and who has been at St Andrew’s since 2003. Heather has extensive experience in a variety of specialties and her recent roles at the hospital have included Clinical Nurse – Plastics Breast and Endocrine surgery, and Clinical Nurse – Perioperative Education.
The University of Adelaide, clinical placement team, St Andrew’s nursing staff, visiting medical officers, and administrative staff working collaboratively, is pivotal to the ongoing success of the program.
Continuing this excellent and innovative program is dependent on the cooperative attitude established within the culture of St Andrew’s and all stakeholders.
The comments below express the value of the program to students:
‘Thank you so much for arranging the amazing placement. I really enjoyed my time at SAH. I liked how friendly and approachable everyone was. I was made to feel comfortable and to step out of my comfort zone to approach theatre staff and to be part of the team.’
‘I really appreciated all of the education provided by the staff, doctors and nurses. There wasn’t a day where I felt like a burden. I really liked how we had a wide variety in terms of exposure. Pathology and imaging sessions were amazing with maximum guidance by the doctor. I cannot thank you enough for my time there and would definitely recommend the program to my juniors.’
The St Andrew’s and University of Adelaide collaboration continues to be a highly valued selective for the medical students. It is with grateful thanks we recognise the ongoing expertise and support of the program supervisors – Dr Melissa Bochner, Dr John Bolt, Dr Peter Sage and all contributing consultants listed below:
Breast Endocrine specialists
Dr Janne Bingham Dr Melissa Bochner Dr Randall Brown Dr Rodney Cooter Dr James Dickson Dr Evelyn Cheng Dr Trevor Collinson Dr James Kollias Dr Quoc Lam Dr William McLeay Dr Adam Sandler Dr Marcus Wagstaff Dr David Walters Dr David Walsh Dr Robert Whitfield
Anaesthetic specialists
Dr John Jaccarini Dr Tom Jaensch Dr Steve Kinnear Dr Bob Singh
Urology specialists
Dr James Aspinall Dr John Bolt Dr Rick Catterwell Dr Jonathon Cho Dr Andrew Fuller Dr Arman Kahokehr Dr Nick Murray Dr Raj Singh Rai Dr Michael Smith Mr Peter Sutherland Dr Richard Wells
Intensive Care specialists
Dr Alex Wurm Dr Nick Edwards Dr Mary Chapman
Cardiology specialists
Dr Vinod Aiyappan Dr Julie Bradley Dr Daniel Cehic Dr Georgy Chacko Dr Patrick Disney Dr James Edwards Dr Jerrett Lau Dr Joe Montarello Dr Jamie Morton Dr Peter Sage Dr Luay Samaraie Dr Maria Santos Dr Govindarajan Srinivasan Dr Peter Steele Dr Karen Teo Dr Charles Tie Dr Fabiano Viana Dr Michael Worthington Dr Glen Young Dr Robert Young
Specialist surgeons
Dr Michael Berce Dr Sommit Dan Dr Phillip Game Dr Anurag Gupta Dr Jack Harbison Dr David King Dr Matthew Lawrence Dr Mark Lewis Dr Naila Mouratova Dr James McLean Dr James Moore Dr Kurian Mylankal Dr Martin Oehler Dr Tarik Sammour Dr Simon Sandler Dr Richard Smith Dr Nick Solanki Dr Michelle Thomas Dr Sarah Thompson Dr Paul Van Minnen Dr Paul Varley Dr Roger Woods Dr Philip Worley Dr Adam Wells Dr Raymond Yu
