While most students are still enjoying their break, UQ’s medical students are starting classes this week.
50 first year students began with orientation at Ipswich on Monday January 18 with classes officially commencing today Wednesday, January 20.
A further 65 senior medical students start work at Ipswich Hospital next week.
Demand for first year places at UQ Ipswich was high with only 50 places available.
Head of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery program (MBBS) at Ipswich, Professor Geoff Mitchell said: “The Ipswich Medical School was created to provide a different medical education experience with students benefitting enormously from smaller class sizes, which enables easier and more regular contact with clinical educators.”
The new students will join the current second year cohort and 65 third and fourth year students based at Ipswich Hospital.
Current students have provided positive feedback on both the program and the facilities at UQ Ipswich.
“The Ipswich district is unique in having high quality academic and clinical facilities in close proximity. It has been really encouraging to see how willing the health professionals of Ipswich have been to participate in the training of the next generation of doctors,” Professor Mitchell said.
Specialised health teaching facilities are continuously being developed and upgraded on campus to ensure students have the latest facilities available to them.
Students will also benefit from the establishment of a GP Super Clinic at UQ Ipswich which will provide increased opportunities for clinical experience.
First year students learn the foundations of medical practice. In Year 2, the focus is on preparing them for clinical practice. Students spend their last two years training in hospitals and other clinical settings.
They complete blocks of training (known as rotations) focused on specific areas of medicine, such as paediatrics.
The Ipswich Medical School was launched in 2009, in conjunction with the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the UQ Ipswich Campus, with 39 students. 2010 will see a total cohort of 155 students.
Media Contact: Professor Geoff Mitchell, Professor of General Practice and Palliative Care and Head, MBBS Program Ipswich, phone: 3381 1363, mobile: 0412 775 117, EMAIL: g.mitchell@uq.edu.au
