University of Sydney launches new clinical school

The University of Sydney has launched a new clinical school to enhance general practice as a preferred career choice among medical students, grow opportunities for GP-related research and champion multidisciplinary care in the community.

The Sydney General Practice (GP) Clinical School sits within the Sydney Medical School. Dean of the medical school Professor Cheryl Jones said the creation of the GP clinical school is important because GPs play a vital frontline role in Australia’s healthcare system.

“While almost 90% of the population consulted their GP in 2020 to 2021, either virtually or in person, only 1% were admitted to an acute hospital,” Jones said.

“This initiative builds on a strong history of GP education and research at Sydney and is timely given the opportunities around Medicare reform in Australia. With an aging and diverse population with growing rates of chronic disease, holistic care delivered by GPs can have an immense impact both at the individual and population level.

“The clinical school will play a key role in championing this, in growing the GP workforce and preparing our medical students to grapple with the complex health needs of our population as part of an integrated community-based healthcare team.”

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd AM, a GP for over 35 years and a former head of general practice at the University, said, “We need to be doing all we can to boost the number of medical graduates choosing a career in general practice, and to enhance primary care research opportunities to better plan for the future healthcare needs of the people of our nation. The creation of this new General Practice Clinical School is a timely and welcome initiative by the University of Sydney, and sends an important message about the centrality of general practice in Australian health care.”

The clinical school announcement is the culmination of years of innovation within the Sydney Medical School, including the 2020 launch of the new Doctor of Medicine curriculum which incorporated increased exposure to GP training.

Medical students now participate in placements with GPs across NSW for one day per week over 16 weeks in their second year of study and for 8 weeks full-time in their fourth year, instead of having a single term of experience in their second-last year.

Students are also encouraged to find placements that align with their personal preferences, such as if they have a particular connection with a country area.

Executive Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor Medicine and Health Professor Robyn Ward said the clinical school will foster research collaborations that address the needs of the profession. “Current projects focus on topics such as medication safety and deprescribing, preventive medical care for young people, GP management of melanoma, vaccine uptake in priority populations and postpartum care for women from diverse backgrounds,” Ward said.

Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney Professor Mark Scott AO congratulated the clinical school directors Associate Professor Fiona Robinson and Associate Professor Melissa Kang on the initiative.

“We know how vital GPs are to individuals and families, and I commend the Sydney Medical School for being forward-thinking in their focus on supporting students, researchers and GPs in the community through the creation of the General Practice Clinical School,” Scott said.

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