Module overview
This module focuses on the Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Genitourinary Medicine ( for BM(EU) also Urology) knowledge and understanding, practitioner and professional skills required of an F1 doctor, and the assessments within this module will focus on these areas.
The BM programmes are however highly contextualised and integrated programmes in which the application of knowledge and understanding, clinical skills and professional practice applicable to medicine are learned through a range of modules none of which are stand alone modules and therefore this module should be recognised by teachers and students alike as part of the whole year and programme. The O&G & GUM Module in year 4 of the BM programmes is studied along with 4 other clinical teaching modules in Acute Care, Specialty Weeks, Psychiatry and Child Health; a year long Clinical Ethics & Law (CEL) module; and a Year 4 assessment module. The emphasis of the assessments for each of the modules aligns with the focus of learning for that module, however the integrated nature of the course means that there will undoubtedly be overlap and aspects of the assessment in each module will draw upon learning from modules studied in earlier years as well as modules studied in that year. In addition, the CEL module and Year 4 assessment modules have been purposely designed to assess learning outcomes covered in any of the 5 clinical modules from the year.
The module will normally take the format of an 8 week placement in one or more of our University of Southampton partner trusts. The timing will vary for different student groups and the teaching staff will vary for different trusts and student groups. As is the nature of clinical placements, the exact learning experiences of each student will be variable however all students will receive the same broad opportunities sufficient to achieve the learning outcomes of the module and it is expected that students will take responsibility for making the most of the opportunities provided and being pro-active in securing experiences in areas in which they feel they have weaknesses and/or they have had fewest learning experiences.
During the module students will see a broad range of clinical presentations, in both acute and chronic settings. Students will experience those elements of clinical practice unique to this field, such as the management of labour and birth, the investigation and management of common gynaecological conditions, the investigation of sexually transmitted infections and the provision of individualised and tailored contraception. In their clinical years we encourage students to practically apply the basic core-knowledge acquired in the earlier years of medical teaching (especially from the second year Endocrinology and Life Cycle module).
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Demonstrate ability to apply management strategies involving immediate treatment, case finding, behaviour modification and methods of partner notification for the benefit of individual patients
- Demonstrate knowledge and sensitivity to the socio-cultural factors influencing women’s reproductive health care
- Acknowledge and discuss the ethical issues in reproduction
- Present and interpret findings and discuss their significance with regard to management
- Demonstrate the ability to take a comprehensive gynaecological and obstetric history.
- Show recognition of the practical problems around patient education and behaviour-modification
- Show understanding of the role and importance of a multidisciplinary specialist team
- Demonstrate knowledge of the range of sexually transmitted infections (STI), their presentation, pathogenesis and complications
- Take responsibility for your own learning and your continuing professional development
- Demonstrate a non-judgmental approach in managing sensitive health issues
- Show understanding of the microbiology of STI, including the behaviour and mode of spread, and risk groups for particular STIs
- Demonstrate an understanding of the pathophysiology, relevant investigations and differential diagnosis for each of the obstetric and gynaecological conditions outlined below
- Demonstrate understanding of the range of options for management and ability to formulate an appropriate management plan for obstetrics and gynaecology cases and sexually transmitted infections
- Understand and describe strategies for prevention and control of STIs and discuss the pitfalls of poorly managed common STIs
- Justify the selection of appropriate investigations.
- Demonstrate the ability to take a sexual history
- Demonstrate competency in examining patients in obstetrics and gynaecology (specific detail covered in section on syllabus content) and in performing male and female genital examination
- Understand the principles behind commonly performed gynaecological and obstetric operative procedures
- Recognise and apply the particular importance of confidentiality, and the ethical and legal aspects of it
- Assess risk factors for HIV infection infection and explain the principles behind pre- and post test counselling
- Demonstrate ability to systematically reflect on experience and practice and to, translate that reflection into action whenever necessary.
- Discuss and apply knowledge of normal reproductive physiology and provide definitions for common conditions in obstetrics and gynaecology
- Demonstrate and ability to communicate effectively with women in sensitive matters relating to reproduction
Syllabus
For all content identified below, students will de expected to demonstrate achievement of specifics.
The student will be expected to:
1. Examine patients in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Obstetrics
i. examine the pregnant abdomen (measure fundal height, establish fetal lie and presentation, comment on engagement of fetal head)
ii. identify fetal heart beat using Doppler ultrasound
- Gynaecology
iii. identify gynaecological masses from pelvic / abdominal examination
iv. discuss when bimanual pelvic examination is appropriate and understand principles of how it is carried out
2. Present and interpret findings together and discuss their significance with regard to management. Students would be expected to present and examine in a structured manner, at least one obstetric and one gynaecological patient to a senior doctor during each week of their attachment
3. Communicate effectively with women in sensitive matters relating to reproduction.
4. Communicate with patients ab
out sensitive issues, such as menstrual disturbance and problems of sexual function
5. Understand the principles and have observed commonly performed gynaecological and obstetric operative procedures
Areas students are expected to gain knowledge and understanding are:
Gynaecology
- Menopause
- Menstrual disorders
- Contraception
- Infertility
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Early pregnancy care & complications/termination of pregnancy
- Benign gynaecological conditions
- Common gynaecological procedures & postoperative care
- Malignancies in gynaecology
- Urogynaecology/genital prolapse
Obstetrics
- Antenatal care
- Pregnancy complications
- Medical conditions complicating pregnancy
- Management of labour & delivery
- Obstetric emergencies
- The puerperium & postpartum complications
- Newborn
- Maternal and perinatal mortality
Genitourinary Medicine
- Bacterial and viral STIs
- Sexually acquired blood borne infections
- Diseases of men who have sex with men
- Ectoparasites
- Limiting STI complications, transmission and acquisition
- Genital infections in pregnancy and the neonate
- Investigating and managing genital symptoms in males and females
- Clinical therapeutics and pharmacology of STI management
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV
- Post exposure prophylaxis for HIV
- STIs and the law
BM(EU) Structured genital examination: female genital examination should take place in O&G and male genital examination should take place in urology. Dermatological manifestations of sexually transmitted infections should be taught in dermatology in the Specialties module.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The module will be taught through a range of learning and teaching strategies which will include:
- Tutor led tutorials/workshops
- Practical sessions (clinical skills demonstrations)
- Guided self-study
- Problem solving scenarios
- Role play
- Group work
- Portfolios
- Study packs
- eLearning & virtual patients
- Patient based learning (ward and clinic work)
- Lectures
Doctors work in shift patterns and rotas throughout much of their working lives and to prepare you for such working once you graduate, throughout your programme you will be expected to undertake placements in the evenings, at nights and at weekends. This will not be an onerous requirement and will be negotiated well in advance so that students with carers’ requirements will be able to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for cover
Within this module there may be some core/compulsory activities that will take place in the evenings, nights or weekends therefore students will commitments that will be affected by these should be pro-active in securing details of these activities well in advance of the start of the module. In addition, many non core learning opportunities will be available during these times and students are encouraged to take advantage of them
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Independent Study | 95 |
Placement Hours | 280 |
Total study time | 375 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Blackboard. Resources for this module will be signposted to you through the Blackboard Page for this module. An indicative content is provided below, however the blackboard module and/or log book will provide the most up to date guidance on resources for this module. – log book Key information in Southampton University GUM Handbook
Textbooks
Rogstadd (2011). ABC of STIs. BMJ Publications.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
As stated in the overview section the integrated nature of the BM programmes means that material learnt within this module is likely to be assessed in the assessment modules within the year and in final year.
Module Assessment
Each element (O&G and GUM) must be passed satisfactorily and there is no compensation between the elements.
1. In order to pass this module students are expected to
O&G
- Meet with lead consultant
- Attend clinics
- Present cases
- Complete sign off sheets (for both mandatory and recommended minimal clinical experiences pages within the learning portfolio)
Show evidence of reflective practice
GUM
- Completion of portfolio
- Discussion of clinical cases and feedback in clinics
Students will have to undertake three Assessments of Clinical Competence (ACC) during the attachment and will need to gain satisfactory marks in them to achieve exemption from the ACCs at Finals. However, the ACC will not be an integral element of the assessment of the module itself.
Summative
Summative assessment description
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Tutor evaluation | 100% |
Referral
Referral assessment description
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Supplementary activity | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal