Cardiff Course Structure

[sparky21]

I had a pm from someone enquiring about the course structure here at cardiff - so as a little guide I thought I'd post something on the forum.

The course structure can be found within the propectus (the medical school one, not the cardiff main prospectus), in a table form. The first 2 years are spent mostly within the Biosciences building learning the preclinical subjects. We have subject panels each year which continue through the course as a common "theme", and these are:

Foundation Studies
Homeostasis
Health in Society
Cardiovascular
Neuroscience
Alimentary
Musculoskeletal
Immunity and Infection
Mechanisms of Disease and Therapeutic Action
Development, Growth and Reproduction
Student Selected Component SSC

For the first 2 years these panel mostly consist of learning about the science aspects - such as how things work/happen - and then towards the end of the second year there is a shift towards starting to learn about clinical cases etc. There are chances in the first year to see clinical cases as they do them through "clinical demos" in the medical school, and also there are 7 early clinical attachments to be completed in the first year. In the second you have the chance to choose 1 5-day SSC which is in a clinical field, and towards the end of the year you start learning foundation clinical skills.

In the 3rd year there is a shift towards clinical work and you spend your time on 4 week clinical attachments with a lecture week inbetween. The 4th and 5th years are also spent rotating around the specialities with up to 8 week placements in the 5th.

Exam-wise, there are 3 major groups of exams at the end of phase 1 (the "primary MB" after first year), after phase 2 (2nd and 3rd years - the "intermediate MB" is taken at the end of the third year with some exams in the second) and after phase 3 (4th and 5th years - "final MB" is taken partly in the 4th year and mostly in the 5th).

Cardiff have introduced some PBL into the course, but it is a very small proportion of the course and up until the end of the second year there is a very didactic approach to learning.

Hope that helps.

x

[welshmed]

If I could just make a few additions about the Fourth and Fifth year.

In your fourth year, you have FIVE different, seven week (including 2 lecture weeks) specialist clinical attachments. You are assessed on your competence at the end of each block in an OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination). The blocks are

* Reproductive Medicine (Obs & Gynae)
* Psychological Medicine
* Module of Sub-specialities (MOSS)
-- Haematology/ Ophthalmology/Dermatology/Infectious Disease/ENT
* Child Health
* Cardiovascular-Respiratory

These placements are based throughout Wales. You will get free accomodation if you are a long way (>50 miles) from Cardiff. I would seriously advise everyone to get a car.

Throughout Fourth Year, you have an ongoing SSC project which is essentially an audit on current practice (this project is rubbish)

You are assessed on your Knowledge and Understanding (K+U) in May/June of Fourth Year.

After the K+U exams, you then have a seven week placement called "Diagnostic Synthesis". This is two three and half weeks working in Medicine and Surgery. This allows you to have experience on reaching a diagnosis and how to order investigations.

Fifth year starts at the very end of fourth year (i.e. July). At the end of fourth year/start of fifth year you go off on your elective. This is a chance to study whatever you want, wherever you want in the World (unless there are political boundaries) for about 8 weeks (plus 4 weeks holiday). This is certainly the highlight of the course!

There are three main, 8 week placements in fifth year, again based anywhere in Wales.

* Multidisciplinary Medicine in the Community (basically GP)
* Secondary Referral Practice (A&E, anaesthetics, ITU, MAU)
* Senior Clinical Project (another SSC on whatever you want)

After these you have another 8 weeks of Professional Development - you basically spend this time working for the consultant that you will have your House Jobs with.

Then there are finals.

Then there is graduation.

Then there are four weeks off.

Then you start as a doctor in August.

NB: You have very little holidays in Years 3-5 - be warned!!

[sparky21]

Thanks welshmed!

That helps me as well... just a quick question - in the third year where do clinical attachments take place? I know we have lectures every wednesday morning - so, by a process of elimination, I am guessing we can't be sent too far away from Cardiff?

Thanks

X

[sparky21]

p.s - the amount of holidays is going to be difficult to bear next year!!! :s

x

[welshmed]

You have four placements in 3rd year; they are Medicine 1 (including 1 week of neurology), Medicine 2, Sugery, Rheumatology and Orthopaedics. Third year placements take place in:

* UHW, Heath,Cardiff
* Rookwood Hospital, Llandaff, Cardiff
* Llandough Hospital, Cardiff
* Royal Gwent, Newport
* Royal Glamorgan, Llantrisant
* Princess of Wales, Bridgend
* Prince Charles, Merthy Tydfil
* Caerphilly Miners, Caerphilly

The GP placements all take place in and around Cardiff.

Although the uni does provide a bus, it is rubbish and does not give you any freedom. You really do need a car.

Also in 3rd year, you do your oncology project as an SSC - you follow a person with cancer for about 8 months and write up their case. This is a very good learning tool for learning about the biological/psychological and social impact of cancer.

Typical Senior Med Student Term Dates:

Autumn Term: Sept. 1st - Dec. 23rd
Winter Term: Jan. 3rd - 26th July

Note the distinct lack of Easter Holidays, Half Terms and the 10 day Xmas Break!!

[sparky21]

Ah great - I live at home nr Cardiff and have a car! So that solves all my problems Thank you!

I had guessed we can't go too far so that'll be great and a few of those hospitals are right on the doorstep.

I am looking forward to the third year, however the threat of Intermediate MB is quite scary!

x

[sparky21]

Oh and I had already checked out next years term dates - *cries in corner*

x

[welshmed]

3rd Year is by far the most difficult year of the course.

You start on the wards and are sitting ducks for doctors and nurses. While on placement you have to learn from scratch your clinical skills and everything that goes with hospital medicine.

You still have a lot of theory to get your head around, this is mostly done by lectures. This, and your 1st and 2nd year work, all has to be learnt.

You must submit coursework for every panel you do - this could be an essay, a critical appraisal, a poster presentation, a presentation or a case study. This totals about 11 pieces of coursework.

You have your oncology project, that eats up loads of your time.

Intermediate MB then appears in May. You will have two exams every other day for 2 weeks - the exams last between 45 and 90 mins. If you fail these completely, you have to do 2nd and/or 3rd Year again (or seek employment elsewhere!). You will also have a clinical exam as part of Intermediate MB.

I feel sick after typing all that - brings back memories.

Having said all that - once you have completed Intermediate MB, it is pretty much plain sailing after that.

Until finals.

[sparky21]

I am preparing myself for a really hard year - but I prefer to be too busy than not, and this year has been a bit slow at times and then really manic at others. I shall make the most of my holidays and then shall make myself work hard!

Maybe I should start revising now.....

x

[Jose_R.A.M]

Woah, awesome info. Thanks dude! Can't believe ive never seen this site before (only since sunday..)