The eleven-floor Griffith Health building will be completed in 2013, opening the doors to an interdisciplinary learning environment that will also give students the opportunity to use facilities at the new Gold Coast University Hospital across the road.
The $1.76 billion hospital and health centre will reinforce teaching and research collaborations between Griffith and the Gold Coast Health Service District.
Currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Medicine degree, Felicity said she is considering working in either paediatrics or emergency medicine when she completes her study and subsequent internship.
“I am really looking forward to the medicine and surgery electives that we will do in third year and also how these learning opportunities will be extended at the new Griffith Health Building and hospital,” the Gold Coast resident said. “It will be fantastic to be able to benefit from all the new facilities and equipment.”
Originally a Bachelor of Medical Science student, Felicity said she is glad she made the decision to study medicine.
“I decided that I wanted a medical career when I was about 14 as I was always fascinated by disease and how it affects a person. I got into Medical Science, got the right grades and continued from there at the end of two years. I think it is important to realise that there are different pathways to getting into medicine at Griffith.”
Associate Professor Gary Rogers from the School of Medicine said the new facilities – tailor-made to Griffith’s learning-based clinical skills methodology – will include 20 clinical skills rooms each designed for six students and a facilitator.
“These small groups will have the opportunity to pre-prepare for clinical skills learning by watching video material of for example, physical examination techniques or procedural skills such as insertion of a catheter. This allows for better use of small group time.
“Students can start practicing their skills straight away, with the facilitator coaching and guiding rather than just talking while they listen.
“With the new facility we also have the advantage of acoustically divided spaces, where student groups will be able to comfortably interact without interfering with each other’s work.
“Additionally we will be benefitting from a dedicated communication suite. Here each student can undertake simulated patient/doctor consultations with actors while the rest of the group and the facilitator observe through one-way glass. This will provide an unparalleled learning experience for our medical students,” said Associate Professor Rogers.
To find out more about Medicine, come along to one of our Information evenings:
Please visit: www.griffith.edu.au/medicine
