Support / Who to Contact

It's not always easy to know just who to contact when you're having a tough time. In an attempt to help you, the AMSS has put together this list of resources. We hope that you will find them useful. If you are unsure who to contact, please direct your enquiry to Ms Jill Brooking and she will put you in touch with the best person as per your individual circumstances. Her contact details can be found here.

Please get in touch (by clicking here) if you wish to add or update the list.

ATTENDANCE | ASSESSMENT | INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS | PLACEMENT ISSUES | SECURITY AND SERVICES  | RURAL STUDENTS

What if I need to take leave?

You must make sure you:

• have read and understood the Attendance Policy, which is part of your Assessment Documents (available via MLTU website)
• inform any tutors / consultants / other students of your absence
• obtain a medical certificate (if applying for medical leave)
• lodge the correct Non-Attendance Form with the MLTU within the designated timeframe

If your period of leave is going to be greater than 11 days, you will need approval from Professor Faull (Director of the Medical Program and Deputy Dean). So the person to contact would Helen Payne (Personal Assistant to the Director of the Medical Program and Deputy Dean).

*The MLTU provides Assessment Documents which provide detailed answers to many of the questions below. Make sure you are familiar with these. They can be accessed under 'course assessment' on the MLTU website.

What if I am unhappy about an academic decision?

The MLTU lists the Student Grievance Resolution Process of the University as a good source for you. Click here to access it.

How do I apply for replacement exams?

• You need to inform the MLTU as soon as possible if  you are unable to make it to any assessments (8303 6221)
• Replacement exams are only available for medical and compassionate reasons, not academic
• Replacement exams are held at the end of the year (marked on the MBBS Calendar)
• Process for applying for replacement exams (must be completed within 7 days of the assessment in question):
  1. Collect form from the Faculty of Health Sciences Office (Medical School North, Ground Floor). These forms are also available online. Please contact jillian.brooking@adelaide.edu.au if you require assistance with completing the forms.
  2. Take to doctor to be filled in (if applying on medical grounds)
  3. Return completed form to Faculty of Health Sciences Office

What if I am precluded from examinations?

The regulations underlying preclusion from exams are quite clear and are outlined in the Assessment Document located on the MLTU website. Be sure to be familiar with this document. It is your responsibility to meet all requirements.

If precluded:

• All details about who to contact will be in the letter that you receive
• If, for some reason, the details you require to appeal your preclusion are not clear, your Year Co-ordinator is your first port of call

If you wish to appeal your preclusion, you will need to write a letter to be sent to your Year Level Co-Ordinator and the Board of Exmainers. You should note the following:

• Be professional:
  - Format your letter correctly
  - Address your Co-Ordinator using their professional title
  - Send your letter as a word doc attachment to a polite e-mail, not just as e-mail text
• Recognise that most people have satisfied the minimum requirements, and to do so was ultimately your responsibility
  - Many people DO have a reasonable excuse as to why they have fallen short of satisfying the Board of Examiner's requirements. With that said, documentation to that end is key. If you were sick, attach a medical certificate; if you were experiencing personal difficulties and attended an appointment, ask that the person verify your problems

If you have any questions or concerns about your attendance or performance during the year, make sure to contact your Year Co-Ordinator sooner rather than later for discussion and trouble shooting. Getting medical certificates and scheduling brief meetings may seem inconvenient in the short-term, but certainly not as inconvenient as repeating the year because you did not follow the Medical School policy for leave and assessment.

What if I fail an exam?

• The Assessment Documents outline the consequences of failing an examination
• In general, the relevant Board of Examiners can determine whether or not you are offered 'additional assessment', and this may enable you to pass the course in question

Where can I access past papers?

• The Medical School has made a selection of past papers available to students through the University of Adelaide's Library Website. Visit www.adelaide.edu.au/library and type in Medic ST Exam Paper to access the available documents.
• Students in the years above you may have material which could be useful.

For international students, studying in a foreign country may be a daunting prospect, and many may struggle to assimilate into the local culture. To combat these difficulties, try to join in a wide variety of clubs and groups, as well as interact with students outside of these. The AMSS has an array of social and educational events that cater for a range of student tastes, and events such as the International Food Fiesta are also a great way to show off international culture and share in the celebration of our multicultural society.

• Medicine Learning and Teaching Unit (Academic Language and Learning)
  Ms Helen Fraser
  p: 8313 3131
  e: helen.fraser@adelaide.edu.au

• International Student Centre
  p: 8303 4828
  e: isc@adelaide.edu.au
  For enquiries about visas, transfers, accommodation, health cover, social events, peer mentor programs.

• AMSS Overseas and Multicultural Officer
  Brian Nguyen
  e: om@amss.org.au

• The University of Adelaide Website for International Students
  http://www.international.adelaide.edu.au/

• Student Services, Care, Activities
  http://www.auu.org.au/site/page.cfm

Join a cultural club from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. Cultural clubs promote multiculturalism and provide a wide range of activites to celebrate cultural diversity. Some clubs also focus on cutural areas of academia and may be able to help students struggling with language.

What if I have an educational issue on placement?

What if I have a non-educational issue on placement? What if I am looking for pastoral care on placement?

Academic Staff, and particularly the Assistant Deans (Students), Drs Nigel Stocks and Simon Vanlint, are not able to enter into therapeutic relationships with students however they are very well placed to direct students on to appropriate counselling services. The university staff that provide counselling services are not involved with assessment in the Medical Program, so students should not be at all concerned that seeking counselling could negatively affect their grades in any way. As noted above, Ms Jill Brooking is the ideal 'first-port-of-call' and she will be able to put you in touch with the best person, as per your circumstances.

If you have encountered a situation during your hospital rotation, begin by speaking to your rotation supervisor.  Continue along the flowchart until the issue has been resolved.

Rotation supervisor > Rotation coordinator (For example: Prof Devitt for Surgery) > Year Level Course convenor > Director of Medical Program and Deputy Dean

If you require someone to talk with or you feel that your health has been compromised, the university has the following services on campus:

What if I am exposed to bodily fluids?

Incidents involving contamination with bodily fluids should be reported immediately to your supervisor who will provide relevant paperwork and determine the course of action.  Further information can be obtained from the relevant Infection Control departments.

What if I’m a student on a rural placement?

For students going on rural placements throughout their university lives, there may be periods of stress and isolation. If you are facing difficulties away from your friends and families, or are struggling to keep up with uni work, then please seek help. The Spencer Gulf Rural Health School provide many resources for students.

Student Coordinator of each clinical site:

If you have further concerns, you could try Deidre Patterson, Bronwyn Herde or Dr David Mills. They are always receptive to the needs of students, and will do anything to help you to enjoy your time on a rural placement and to get the most out of your experience. They are also very approachable people – either a phone call or an e-mail would be fine:

Deirdre Patterson (Senior Student Coordinator) - 8647 6174

Bronwyn Herde (Rural Medical Program Coordinator) – 8303 4528

David Mills (Senior Lecturer and all-round good guy) – 8303 4523

Are there any other resources?

• Rural Placements Guide
  
  This guide can help you to prepare for a rural placement and to try to get the most out of your time in the country. It has lots of useful tips on logistics, cultural awareness, keeping yourself safe, and a list of useful resources and websites. It was published by the National Rural Health Students Network and can be found online at: http://www.nrhsn.org.au/client_images/515855.pdf
   
• When the cow pat hits the windmill
  
  This is a great resource written by students for students focusing on mental health issues faced by Australia's future rural and remote workforce while on placement or working out bush. It was also published by the National Rural Health Students Network and can be found online at: http://www.nrhsn.org.au/client_images/728841.pdf