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Doctor of Advanced Surgery

ADSU01TV3

Faculty:
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Award:
Doctor of Advanced Surgery (DAdvSurg)
Admission Requirement:
• Australian MBBS or recognised equivalent registrable qualification
• Full registration as a medical practitioner in jurisdiction of residence or citizenship
• Certificate of Good Standing with registration authority in jurisdiction of residence or citizenship
• Eligibility for medical registration in Australia (if studying in Australia)
• Fellowship in relevant specialist College or four years recent experience in the specialty
English Language Proficiency:
IELTS of 7.0 overall with minimum 7.0 in each band, or equivalent
Study Mode:
Full-time, Part-time
Attendance Mode:
Internal, External
Candidature Length:
Full-time: 1.5 years - 3 years depending on RPL granted
Commencement:
School of Medicine 1-12 at North Ryde (Domestic, International)
School of Medicine 1-12 at External (Domestic)
Volume of Learning:
Equivalent to 3 years
General requirements:
Minimum number of credit points at 800 level or above 96
Completion of other specific minimum requirements as set out below

In order to graduate students must ensure that they have satisfied all of the general requirements of the award.

Specific minimum requirements:

Credit points

800 level

Required
4
MASurg Surgical Elective 1 (4)
 
Required
4
MASurg Surgical Elective 2 (4)
 
Required
4
MASurg Surgical Elective 3 (4)
 
Required
4
MASurg Surgical Elective 4 (4)
 
Required
4
MASurg Surgical Elective 5 (4)
 
Required
4
MASurg Surgical Elective 6 (4)
 
Required
32
Research Thesis (32)
 
Required
8
Specialist Elective Reflective Portfolio 1 (8)
 
Required
8
Specialist Elective Reflective Portfolio 2 (8)
 
Required
8
Specialist Elective Reflective Portfolio 3 (8)
 
Required
8
Specialist Elective Reflective Portfolio 4 (8)
 
Required
8cp from
 
Safety and Quality in Hospital Care (4)
 
 
Hospital Management (4)
 
 
Ethics and Professionalism (4)
 
 
Medical Research Project (4)
 
 
Medical Education (4)
 
 
Evidence Based Practice (4)
 
 
Communication (4)
 
 
Leadership and Motivation (4)
 
8
Negotiation; Theory and Practice (4)
 

TOTAL CREDIT POINTS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROGRAM

96
Note:
There are a range of specialisations available for this degree. Please email for more information: fmhs.education@mq.edu.au
Additional Information
AQF Level Level 10 Doctoral Degree
CRICOS Code 077336F
Overview and Aims of the Program The Doctor of Advanced Surgery (DAdvSurg) is a professional doctorate program intended for Australian and overseas surgeons with a sub-specialty interest. The DAdvSurg extends the depth of understanding in academic surgical leadership and develops the capability for graduates to make a substantial original contribution to the knowledge base in surgery. At all times the surgeon is encouraged to consider significant and original adaptations to the application and interpretation of existing knowledge. The program intends to extend the depth of understanding and acculturation in medical leadership beyond that obtained at the Master level. This degree complements and extends the requirements to become a sub-specialist surgeon.

The student will complete the following units:
• Master of Advanced Surgery (32 cps) completed in year 1
• 4 Specialist Reflective Practice Portfolios units (32 cps)
• MEDI861 Research Thesis (32 cps)

Sub-specialisms offered:
• Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery
• Craniomaxilliofacial Surgery
• Orthopaedics: Knee and Arthroplasty
• Orthopaedics: Hand Surgery
• Orthopaedics: Sports Medicine
• Orthopaedics: Upper Limb
• Neuro-oncology
• Spinal Surgery
• Breast and Endocrine Surgery
• Cardiothoracic
Graduate Capabilities

The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:

Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative


Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible

Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning

Program Learning Outcomes By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:

1. apply to clinical practice, a substantial body of knowledge which is relevant to and at the forefront of the surgical specialism (K,T,P,C,E,J)
2. use an expert knowledge of research principles and methodologies applicable to the surgical specialism to plan original research applicable to clinical practice (K,T,P,C,E,J)
3. independently implement research proposals to produce a substantial body of scholarly works (K,T,P,C,E,J)
4. coherently present original research that can withstand the robust scrutiny of peers. (K,T,P,C,E,J)
5. develop new knowledge to allow systematic, critical reflection of practices relevant to the specialism (K,T,P,J)
6. use an expert theoretical knowledge to critically evaluate existing literature (K,T,P,C,J)
7. perform, with expert precision, a range of advanced technical and non-technical skills relevant to clinical practice (K,T,P,J)
8. proficiently interpret and communicate advanced specialist knowledge and skills to peers and non-specialists (K,T,P,C,E,J)
9. methodically investigate and reflect upon existing practice to generate new, original knowledge (K, T,P,C,J)
10. with complete responsibility and accountability, demonstrate professional expertise in line with relevant professional standards (K,T,P,C,E,J)
11. critically evaluate and adapt self-directed learning approaches to enhance lifelong learning strategies (K,T,P,C,E,J).
Learning and Teaching Methods You will engage in an intensive, competency-based learning experience in a specialty or sub-specialty of surgery. Learning is tailored to the needs of the individual and therefore pedagogy is interactive and student centred. You will engage in a work based environment where you will learn through acquisition of knowledge from clinical experts in the field. This knowledge will be put into practice by carrying out a variety of clinical procedures that will adjust in supervision level as your skill acquisition improves. Engagement will involve collaboration with supervisors and other health professionals (peer learning) to increase your understanding and expertise in safe, quality health care. To facilitate continuous improvement in knowledge and skill level, you will produce a reflective practice portfolio which will act as a record of progress where you can reflect upon previous performance to inform future direction and improvement. Feedback from supervisors and other health care professionals will provide formative assessment to monitor performance and indicate improvements necessary.

Optional units will provide a blended learning approach where you will engage in on line learning activities combined with collaborative tutorial sessions facilitated by the unit convenor. There will be opportunities to take part in simulated patient/doctor scenarios and competency based assessment in a workshop situations.

Individual research will form a major component of the second and third year of the course where you will conduct medical research appropriate to your chosen specialty. As part of this process you will engage in the external review process and develop oral and written communication skills in the presentation of their findings.
Assessment The majority of assessment for this program is based on the completion of an on line based portfolio which will consist of case reports, reflective practice notes, feedback from supervisors, videos of practice and relevant journal articles. The portfolio will demonstrate progressive improvement throughout the duration of the program of study.

You will be given formative feedback following observational assessment of surgical procedures. Regular meetings with your supervisor will take place throughout the period of training and targets will be set at regular intervals to inform and improve your clinical practice. The completed portfolio will constitute the summative assessment for the clinically based units and final assessment of each unit will be pass/fail.

During the completion of a research thesis you will be assessed on the production of a research plan and the publication of your research findings. Formative feedback will be given during the planning and implementation stages by your supervisor. Further assessment for this unit will involve the presentation of your work at a seminar presentation, where your work will be peer reviewed.

The optional units in the program will involve formative and summative assessment in the form of; written reports, group and individual presentations, a reflective log and literature review. Educational simulation scenarios will be used to assess you communication skills when interacting with supervisors and patients.
Recognition of Prior Learning

Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit.

Domestic students
For undergraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For domestic postgraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl

International students
For RPL information visit www.mq.edu.au/international/rpl

Support for Learning

Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.

Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/

Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us

Program Standards and Quality

The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders.

Graduate Destinations and Employability The DocAdvSurg complements and extends that which is required to become a sub-specialist in surgery and the cohort of students is expected to be a mixture of domestic and international. Completion of this program will increase employment prospects for those who want to pursue a career as a sub-specialist surgeon or in an academic leadership role.
Assessment Regulations

This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy.

Accreditation This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.