Placements
Clinical placements provide students with the opportunity to apply their studies as well as acquire further knowledge, skills and experience required to become a safe and competent medical practitioner. Over the course of the medical program, students undertake a range of placements in a variety of healthcare settings.
Year 1 Observership - Ochsner
The Observership offers students the opportunity to gain exposure to the practice of medicine in a variety of settings, prior to the clinical placement phase of the program in Years 3 and 4. It allows students to further their personal and professional development, gain insight into health service provision, work alongside medical specialists from both health and community agencies, and develop lasting friendships, mentorships and networks.
The Observership requirements for students commencing the MD Program in 2021 have been revised, as follows:
MD (Non-Ochnser) students commencing in 2021 are no longer required to undertake an Observership placement, however students are able to undertake a range of other Optional Phase 1 Observership placements. Further information can be found here.
MD (Ochsner) students commencing in 2021 will be required to complete:
- Summer Block Observership placement in Australia, prior to the commencement of their second year of the program; and
- Longitudinal Semester Observership placement at a UQ Clinical Unit in either Semester 2 of Year 1, or Semester 1 of Year 2.
Phase 2 Clinical Unit Allocation Process
The Faculty of Medicine has established the Phase 2 Allocation Process to manage and support the training of students during the clinical years their program. This process includes provision for Special Consideration and Placement Swaps, and is designed to facilitate the equitable distribution of students in Clinical Placements throughout the Academic Year and across all available Clinical Units.
Year 3 Placement Preferencing & Allocations
In Year 3, students will undertake five clinical placements across two semesters.
Hospital Practice Semester
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Comprehensive Clinical Practice Semester
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Students will be allocated to a Clinical Unit for the duration of the Academic Year, and will undertake most of their Clinical Placements in the teaching sites associated with that Clinical Unit.
Year 4 Placement Preferencing & Allocations
In Year 4, students will undertake a range of clinical placements across two semesters.
Women’s and Children’s Health Semester
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Advanced Hospital Care Semester
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Students will be allocated to a Clinical Unit for the duration of the Academic Year, and will undertake most of their Clinical Placements in the teaching sites associated with that Clinical Unit.
Optional Observership and Elective Placements
The purpose of the Optional Observership and Elective program is to provide medical students with an avenue to gain additional clinical or research experience during the MD Program. Approved students undertaking an Optional Observership or Elective placement are covered by UQ's travel, public liability and indemnity insurance. The placement will not be noted on the students' academic record. Optional Observerships and Electives are not a compulsory component of the MD curriculum and students are not assessed during their placement.
Away Placements
Students are eligible to complete clinical placements during Phase 2 at a non-UQ location. In addition, students are able to complete the Personalised Learning Course (elective) at a non-UQ location.
Every institution has specific criterion that students must meet before undertaking a medical placement. Students must ensure that they can comply with all requirements before applying, as significant costs could occur. The Faculty of Medicine can assist in certain aspects of host institution requirements, but the responsibility remains with the student.
Approved Disciplines for non-UQ Locations
- Year 3 - Rural and Remote Medicine, Medicine in Society (International Students Only)
- Year 4 - ED/Orthopaedics (at Queens University, Canada) and PLC Elective
Inbound Electives
UQ assists visiting students with medical elective placements. UQ Medicine defines visiting students as those who are seeking to complete a medical elective placements through UQ while they are enrolled at another institution within Queensland, interstate, or external to Australia.
Key Contacts
The Faculty of Medicine – Placements Team
Location: Level 5, Oral Health Centre, Herston
Phone: +61 7 3346 4922
Email: med.placements@uq.edu.au