A Brief History of Australia by The World Factbook 2006
Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name of Great Britain. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. The new country took advantage of its natural resources to rapidly develop agricultural and manufacturing industries and to make a major contribution to the British effort in World Wars I and II. In recent decades, Australia has transformed itself into an internationally competitive, advanced market economy. It boasted one of the OECD's fastest growing economies during the 1990s, a performance due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s. Long-term concerns include pollution, particularly depletion of the ozone layer, and management and conservation of coastal areas, especially the Great Barrier Reef. Read More
James Cook University
School of Medicine
Introduction
James Cook University School of Medicine is Australia's newest medical school and the only full medical school based in northern Australia. The School is primarily based in Townsville but has staff and resources located throughout north Queensland Clinical Schools based in Cairns, Atherton, Mount Isa and Mackay.
As a creation of the new millennium the School has been able to embrace the newest in modern educational approaches and technologies but also maintains a community-oriented approach to medical education.
The School was established in recognition of the need for advancement of medical education and research relevant to the communities of northern Australia. It aims to offer educational and research excellence, and also to provide a special focus on medical issues most relevant to these communities.
Vision Statement
"To pursue excellence and provide leadership in medical education and research. In particular, programs will be responsive to the health needs of the communities of northern Australia and the School will be a leader in the focus areas of rural and remote health, indigenous health and tropical medicine for Australia and for the wider Asia-Pacific region."
The James Cook University School of Medicine - Australia's first new medical school in 25 years - commenced in February 2000 as the only complete medical school in northern Australia. The School was established to advance medical education and research relevant to the communities of northern Australia. The main campus is in Townsville but staff and resources are located throughout North Queensland, with major bases in Cairns, Mount Isa, and Mackay. The MBBS Program applies the most modern educational approaches and technologies to deliver a community-oriented approach that includes a special focus on medical issues most relevant to the population of northern Australia.
History of the School
The establishment of the JCU School of Medicine was preceded by a long and distinguished history of medical, health research, education activity and developments in North Queensland. In 1910, the Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine (AITM) was established in Townsville. This was the first Australian Institute dedicated solely to medical research and undertook the first biochemistry research in the country. The AITM operated in Townsville for over 20 years before being relocated to Sydney. Townsville was also the base for management of malaria control for the allied forces during the Second World War. From the 1960s there had been substantial community pressure to establish a North Queensland medical school and the site for the School was incorporated into the original plan for the JCU campus.
The biomedical sciences at JCU began to take shape from the early 1970s. In 1973 a comprehensive plan for a northern Queensland based School of Medicine was recommended by the Federal Government, although this decision was reversed by subsequent administrations. Since that time, the communities of the north continued to lobby for the School. Meanwhile, the biomedical sciences continued to expand, nursing sciences were established at JCU and in 1987 the Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine was re-established within JCU on its original site as the Anton Brienl Centre for Tropical Health and Medicine.
In 1993, JCU and the University of Queensland formed the North Queensland Clinical School with funding from Queensland Health, which was intended to eventually become part of JCU. This provided training for a approximately 30 University of Queensland medical students in their final two years and brought several senior medical academics and specialists to Townsville and Cairns. In 1997, in recognition of the strength of the health sciences at JCU, the Faculty of Health, Life and Molecular Sciences was formed, providing an administrative umbrella to coordinate this continuing expansion. By 1999, the Faculty offered postgraduate and undergraduate courses in tropical medicine, public health, occupational therapy, pharmacy, nursing, biomedical science, sports and exercise science and medical laboratory technology and world class research was being conducted by JCU academics, particularly in the fields of public health and tropical medicine, biomedical science and molecular biology.
The push for a medical school was re-kindled in July 1997 through a joint proposal by the University and Queensland Health. A Planning Dean was appointed in March 1998 to see the School through the Australian Medical Council's accreditation process - the first time an Australian medical school had been required to receive AMC accreditation prior to the commencement. In May 1998 the initial submission for the accreditation of the JCU medicine program was submitted to the AMC and approval was gained later that year to proceed to more detailed planning. In 1999, the Foundation Dean was appointed to develop and implement an innovative curriculum that had a special focus on rural and remote medicine, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and tropical medicine. The Australian Medical Council accredited the School in 1999 and the first cohort of 64 students was recruited to commence in February 2000.
In 2001, the staff and resources of the North Queensland Clinical School were incorporated into the JCU School of Medicine. In 2001 the RACGP general practice Registrar Training Program became part of the School, creating a unique structure that provides continuity of education from undergraduate training through to registration and beyond. In 2001 the program's rural and remote training component was enhanced by the incorporation in to JCU of the Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health, which offers specialist expertise and facilities for coordination of rural experience opportunities.
The MBBS Program
The School of Medicine offers a six-year undergraduate MBBS with clinical exposure from the first year of the program. Students attend only eight lecture sessions per week, with the rest of the time devoted to small group and practical work. Students spend much of their time in small groups of 8-10 students. Years 1-3 are primarily based in Townsville and Years 4, 5 and 6 will be extensively clinical-based with students located in hospitals and community practices throughout the north Queensland. The School enjoys an extensive and professional relationship with local general practitioners, specialists, clinicians, and hospitals.
Student Profile
In 2002, the total number of students in Year 1 was 81, in Year 2 was 80, and in Year 3 was 63. Of the 224 students in the School, 122 are female and 102 are male. In each annaul cohort, about 50% of students have been raised in defined rural areas and the annual target of 5 places for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students has been met. About 50% of the students are from urban and rural areas in North Queensland. The School has thus succeeded in recruiting a student population that matches our mission and northern profile. We have students from all Australian States and Territories and from 2003 a small number of places will be available to overseas students.
James Cook University
Medical School Curriculum
1st 3 Years | Yr 1 | Yr 2 | Yr
3 | Yr 4 | Yr 5 |
Yr 6
FIRST THREE YEARS
During their first three years students will be provided
with the foundations of biological and behavioural science underpinning
medical practice and will have mastered these in their medical context with
special reference to their relevance in rural, Indigenous and tropical communities.
They will have examined the major body systems, and learned to take basic
medical histories and perform medical examinations in all of these. Students
will have gained proficiency in clinical communication skills through interactions
with patients and their families, medical practitioners and healthcare professionals.
They will have spent a significant amount of time in rurally-based clinical
settings.
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YEAR ONE: Semester
One
Human Biology: An investigation of the origins of humans and human development, taking
students through the major milestones of a human lifespan including human
reproduction.
Molecules, Cells & Life: An introduction
to the biochemical and cellular processes in the human body, providing the
scientific foundations for understanding the cellular, subcellular and molecular
basis of human disease.
Health in Practice: An examination
of medicine and health care in the context of human societies, introducing
students to the role of the medical profession in contributing to advancement
of the health and wellbeing of communities.
YEAR ONE:Semester Two
Musculoskeletal System: An introduction to the basic structure and function of the human musculoskeletal
system and its role in human movement.
Genetics & Health: An introduction
to the principles of genetic inheritance, its manifestation in human disorders
and advances in DNA technology.
Gastrointestinal Medicine & Nutrition: An introduction to the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas as these
relate to food and nutrient processing in the human body. Students will
learn about nutritional assessments and will be introduced to diseases related
to nutrition and gastrointestinal function.
Health in Practice: The subject in
this semster will focus on human behaviour and interaction and its implications
for medical practice. Students will continue their introduction to key professional
skills including communication skills and medical ethics.
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YEAR TWO:
Semester One
Cardiovascular Medicine: An introduction to the normal structure and function of the Cardiovascular
System, the epidemiology of heart disease and preventive strategies.
Haematological & Renal Medicine: An introduction to the Haematological and Renal Systems, common disorders
of these systems, pharmacological interventions and their epidemiology in
Australia.
Respiratory Medicine: An introduction
to the normal structure and function of the Respiratory System, common disorders
of the system, pharmacological interventions, patterns of respiratory Illness
in Australia and some preventive strategies.
Rural, Remote, Indigenous & Tropical
Medicine: The medical epidemiology and demographics of Australia’s
rural and Indigenous communities. Specific challenges for medical practice
in rural Australia and an introduction to Tropical Disease.
YEAR TWO: Semester Two
Neuroscience: A study of the Nervous System integrating aspects of neuroscience and pharmacology,
providing a scientific basis for understanding disorders of this system
and their neurological and behavioural consequences.
Endocrinology & Human Sexuality: An overview of the Endocrine System, hormone regulation, major abnormalities
resulting from the system’s dysfunction and human sexuality.
Human Development & Behaviour: An examination of psychological aspects of mental health, common mental
health disorders, mental health assessment and the mental healthcare system.
Students will be introduced to psychiatric history taking and mental state
examinations.
Elective Subject: Students will
be able to choose from subjects available across the University or from
specialised units developed within the School of Medicine.
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YEAR THREE:
Semester One
Preventive Medicine & Addiction Studies: An examination of major addiction problems in Australia, their social impacts,
and strategies for their prevention and management: an overview of strategies
for disease prevention focusing on national health priorities.
Tissue Injury & Neoplasia: An
examination of the nature and consequences of cellular damage and abnormal
tissue growth and of the epidemiology, preventive and therapeutic strategies
and human impacts of cancer in society.
Infection, Inflammation & Immunity: An introduction to the Immune System, its responses to infection and the
mechanisms underlying these responses. Close examination of AIDS, its pathology,
history, epidemiology and current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology: An examination of drugs and the mechanisms of drug action in various
human body system to provide an understanding of their therapeutic use,
administration, effectiveness and toxicity.
YEAR THREE: Semester Two
Infectious Diseases: An introduction to microbiology and an examination of the pathology and
epidemiology of a range of common infectious diseases.
Introduction to Emergency Medicine: An introduction to emergency medicine, emphasising the scientific and medical
rationale for treating some conditions on an emergency basis and the basic
principles involved.
Skin Biology: An overview of the
structure and function of the skin, common diseases of the skin and the
relationship of skin lesions to systemic disease with particular emphasis
on skin cancer.
International Health: An overview
of medical practice and health issues in an international context.
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YEAR FOUR
This year will allow students to gain in-depth
experience of common medical conditions in community-based settings. Students
will learn health promotion, preventive strategies, presentations of illness,
diagnosis, pathogenesis, prognosis, and management plans for all the most
common conditions with which they are likely to come into contact in medical
practice. Students will clerk particular patients and follow them through
any medical procedures that they may require. This year will include an
eight-week rural practice attachment and four weeks of contact with common
problems of children’s health.
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YEAR FIVE
During this year students will be based in
hospitals in Townsville, Mackay, Cairns, Mount Isa and Darwin (from 2005).
Students will gain an in depth understanding of the major medical disciplines
through a series of clinical attachments. The five rotations are:
Multi Discipline Adult Health 1 and 2
Reproductive and Neonatal Health
Child & Adolescent Health
Mental Health
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YEAR SIX
Students will spend their final year in hospital
locations in Townsville, Mackay, Cairns, Mount Isa and Darwin (from 2005).
During this year students will take an increasing level of responsibility
for patient management. This will prepare students for work as an intern
the following year particularly through the eight-week trainee internship.
It will also provide further experience in some special areas of medicine.
One of the five clinical attachments will be a student elective to obtain
further rural/remote or Indigenous Health; or, interstate or overseas medical
experience. The five rotations are:
Multi Discipline Adult
Health 3
Aged Care and Rehabilitation
Critical and Crisis Care
Rural Internship
Clinical Elective
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