Bachelor of Medical Studies

The Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine is an integrated program. Combined, these degrees will equip you with the knowledge, skills and attributes that will enable you to practice as a medical doctor safely and effectively. The integrated medical program is aligned with the Australian Medical Council accreditation standards including science and scholarship, clinical practice, professionalism and leadership, and health and society.

Throughout all six years, there is a strong emphasis on scenario-based learning, evidence-based decision making and professional practice. You will learn in South Australia’s premier health education precinct, the Adelaide BioMed City, situated next door to the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. You will be part of the eco-system of education, research and clinical care working together to create better health outcomes for individuals and communities.

You will practice and refine your skills in our world-leading simulation facilities, the only facilities in Australasia with accreditation by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare for excellence in learning and teaching. You will be taught by practising clinicians who are leaders in their field and learn from the best in their fields.

The first three years of the medical program is the Bachelor of Medical Studies which provides the foundation of medical science and practice. The emphasis on these early years is on integrated learning, learning and building clinical skills and developing your understanding of the role of a doctor. A major emphasis is placed on professionalism, communication and clinical reasoning, as well as the practise of evidence-based and preventative medicine. Small-group Scenario-Based Learning (SBL) is a key part of learning the early years of the curriculum. Lectures in the medical disciplines such as pathology, anatomy, physiology and pharmacology are carefully staged throughout the clinical cases of the most commonly encountered and socially significant diseases.

In year 1, you will learn fundamental knowledge of biomedical science and how the health care system works. To build this knowledge you will begin to have patient contact by having the opportunity to experience the health care system from the ‘consumer’ perspective. The use of SBL will introduce you to underlying mechanisms and concepts from a real-world perspective.

In year 2, you will continue to learn about clinical problems through clinically based scenarios which explore the science of medicine. You will continue to develop clinical skills in diagnosis and management, and be introduced to the public health and professional aspects of becoming a medical practitioner.

In year 3, the focus is on preparing you for full-time clinical studies within the Doctor of Medicine. You will undertake your first clinical placements, and begin to learn research skills with the completion of a research proposal and critical appraisal. You will understand research methodology and have the skills required to ensure as you move into the clinical years of the program you can use research to ensure you make evidence-based decisions to ultimately guide clinical practice towards treatment modalities and therapies that improve patient outcomes. Alongside this, you will have increased clinical exposure with experiences in primary and hospital care settings. This will be supported by scenario-based learning which will focus on clinical management

The Bachelor of Medical Studies functions as an exit pathway only for students who do not go on to complete the entire six-year program. At the end of the six-year program, you will be awarded both the Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine degrees.

For more details regarding years 4 to 6 of the medical program, visit Doctor of Medicine.