In the same vein as Gray's Anatomy for Students being the concise versions of Gray's Anatomy, or Toronto Notes being the concise version of all of medicine, here are our condensed explanations of some University policies which may directly impact you.
Please email any questions regarding the content of this to the AMSS Vice President (Education) at vpe@amss.org.au.
Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) #
Education and Welfare Officers (EWOs) work at Student Care and are professionally trained and qualified. They can be contacted on any issue which directly or indirectly is affecting a student’s ability to study successfully. It is a free and confidential service is available to all undergraduate students. The University of Adelaide has policies that govern courses, services and behaviour on campus and the EWOs are designated advocates for students. They can help you with any issue or complaint through a process of investigation, negotiation, referral, advice support and advocacy. EWOs have wide range of experience and expertise in university culture, systems and policy. EWOs are independent advocates for students of the University of Adelaide and can provide you with advice, assistance and advocacy. For further information see: https://www.auu.org.au/student...
EWOs provide advice, support and advocacy on a range of issues including: Unsatisfactory Academic Progress, Student grievances and appeals, Replacement Exams/Alternative Assessments, Plagiarism, Academic Honesty Breaches, Fee Refunds and Remissions, Fair Treatment, Credit transfer, Assessment etc. If you have concerns regarding fair treatment by University staff or another student, we can discuss your concerns and the options available to you to address the situation e.g. Bullying/Harassment/Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, Difficulties with supervision, Assessment equity, etc. EWOs can assist you to work through and evaluate the merits of your case in accordance with the University’s Student Grievance Resolution Process and advise on the next steps. We can support you through the process and assist with drafting your response or attending University or external agency meetings with you. We provide advice and assistance to navigate your way through the University policies and procedures that relate to the following: Plagiarism, Breaches of Academic Honesty Policy, Unsatisfactory Academic Progress, Exclusion from the University, Extension requests, Replacement exams or alternative assessment requests (MACA), Concerns around academic misconduct, Review and Remarks of assignments/exams, Attendance at Show Cause meetings, Personal situations which may be affecting your study, etc..
For further information see: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/st...
Fair Hours for Clinical Placements #
The AMSS originally produced a position statement on fair hours for clinical placements. Following advocacy by TeamEd, the staff agreed to create an official policy with student input. The AMSS' position statement was used as the basis for this official policy.
You can find the final version of this policy here: Year 4 6 Clinical Placement Hours Final.
The purpose of this document is to help students understand the expectations that govern attendance at clinical placements. This includes the total number of hours medical students are expected to spend participating in clinical and educational activities. If you find that a placement does not align with the fair hours policy, you are welcome to raise the concerns to your supervisor or otherwise contact the year level EdReps for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions about Assessment in Years 4 and 5 #
This document was compiled by Victoria Langton (2019 AMSS Vice President (Education)), and was reviewed by Professor Ian Symonds (Dean of Medicine) and Associate Professor Marc Gladman (MBBS Program Coordinator) in March 2019.
The purpose of this document is to help students understand the policies and procedures that govern assessment at the Adelaide Medical School. The MBBS program is an integrated program, with some forms of assessment spanning a whole academic year. Accordingly, each year’s learning comprises a series of course components (e.g. Year 2 Scientific Basis of Medicine or Year 4 Medical Home Unit) AND an examination course component; BOTH of these requirements need to be successfully completed.
Replacement and Additional Assessment Policies #
The policies surrounding additional and replacement assessment underwent drastic change at the start of 2016.
The 'AMSS Replacement and Additional Assessment Policy Guide' summarises these changes and provides information on who is eligible for Replacement or Additional Assessment and what to do if you need to apply.
Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy #
The AMSS undertook advocacy in 2017 regarding our view that this policy discriminates against students who find themselves requiring a replacement examination for medical, compassionate or other extenuating circumstances. The policy does not entitle such students to an Additional Assessment upon failing their Replacement Examination, despite students otherwise receiving an Additional Assessment upon failing their end-of-year examination(s). Following joint advocacy from the AMSS, Dean of Medical School, Undergraduate Representatives of the University Council, SRC Council President and Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences Undergraduate Representative, the stance of the University shifted to permitting consideration, on a case-by-case basis, for providing an Additional Assessment to a student who has failed their replacement examination. We hence advise students who sit a Replacement Examination, which they do not pass, to contact the Pre-clinical/Clinical Coordinator of the Medical school for consideration for an Additional Assessment.
For further details, please access the letter sent by the 2017 Vice President (Education) to University staff and the reply from the the 2017 Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic). For further questions and questions regarding further advocacy, please contact the AMSS Vice President (Education) via emailing vpe@amss.org.au.
Mental Health-related Leave, Leave of Absence Forms and Conference leave #
University policy permits you to take unplanned leave when needed for Mental Health reasons (along with other medical/compassionate/extenuating circumstances as described in the relevant forms).
If requiring such absence, just ask for the Year 1-3/Year 4-6 Leave of Absence form.
How do I access the leave of absence form?
There are separate forms for applying for leave in the pre-clinical and clinical years.
The pre-clinical leave of absence form is accessible by clicking here and finding the MBBS non-attendance (years 1-3) form in the section titled "Forms and Documents".
The clinical leave of absence form is accessible via following these instructions after logging into Sonia >> Forms (title bar) >> click Years 4-6 Leave form in drop-down menu next to form >> click add >> fill-in the Year 4-6 Leave form that has now popped up on the screen.
Conversely, to access the form required when applying for a more sustained leave of absence (>6 months), click here.
Where does 'mental health-related leave' fit into the prescribed categories of medical, compassionate and extenuating on the form?
Mental illness is treated in the same manner as physical illness. Mental health-related leave is considered to be medical leave. In the clinical form, you may choose to elaborate on your illness but this is not required. Submission of a doctor's certificate, alongside the leave of absence form, is not required unless the leave extends >3 days' duration.
How often can I take Mental Health-related leave? Is there a limit?
Technically as often as you feel necessary (a doctor's certificate being required for >3 days duration of leave). However, if a large number of days' leave are considered necessary, alternative coping mechanisms and professional assistance should be sought such as:
- University Counselling Service: Ph: 83135663, E: counselling.centre@adelaide.edu.au
- Your GP or Doctor's Health SA: Ph: 82321250, urgent 24/7 confidential helpline: 83660250
- Lifeline 24-hour service for personal crises: Ph 131114
For further contacts and resources click here and mental health and wellbeing tips click here.
How do I apply for conference (AMSA Convention or other) leave?
By submission of the same pre-clinical and clinical leave of absence forms as discussed above, with these instructions.
For pre-clinical students, under "circumstance for absence" tick "extenuating" and write next to it "conference leave - (further details)."
For clinical students, tick the box which says "conference/educational" and include the details of the conference in the comments section.
Make-up time may be required and the leave should be discussed with your clinical supervisor.
It is policy that AMSA Convention leave will be approved except in unusual circumstances (clashes with the Year 4 Musculoskeletal Medicine anatomy teaching / OSCE week, already taken leave for a multitude of conferences etc.).