Would you like to help educate our future doctors?

Expert Patient Programme

About the Graduate School of Medicine (GSM)

In July 2004, the Australian Government approved the development of a Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Wollongong. The Government provided funds to help finance the purpose-built medical school buildings on the Wollongong and Shoalhaven campuses.

In January 2007, the first eighty students began their Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). Fifty-six new students per year will be based at the Wollongong campus and twenty-eight at the Shoalhaven campus in Nowra.

The aim of the GSM is to produce excellent medical practitioners who are able to contribute to the enhancement of health care for patients in all geographic settings, but particularly in regional, rural and remote communities. It is also expected that the GSM graduates will have a commitment to patient-centred, evidence-based, reflective and cost-effective medical practice.

Where is the Graduate School of Medicine?

The GSM has two campuses, Wollongong and Shoalhaven. Patient Volunteers could participate at either of those sites (or both). All training sessions and activities will take place at the GSM’s Clinical Skills Centres which have purpose built facilities in both locations.

Why does the Graduate School of Medicine need volunteers?

The GSM has adopted a wide range of learning and educational approaches as well as state of the art technologies to assist in the facilitation of such learning. One of the key learning activities for medical students will be the interaction between students and real people. To accomplish this, the GSM has established a Patient Volunteer Programme comprising volunteers from the community to act as patients. The GSM is ensuring that students are able to learn and continually practice appropriate communications with real people, make diagnoses and have immediate access to ‘patient volunteer’ feedback.

About the Expert Patient Programme (ExPP)

The Expert Patient Programme is a new project in the GSM established in the Clinical Skills Centre with funding from a Community Engagement Grant. The ExPP takes the Patient Volunteer Programme a step further to increase the reality and effectiveness of medical student learning. It is also a way for the students to gain awareness of community health and the patient’s journey through the medical system.

An Expert Patient is a person who has experience and substantial understanding of a specific medical condition. This could be a person who has the condition and is stable enough to attend the classes, for example heart murmur or diabetes. An Expert Patient could also be a health care professional specialising in a relevant area of health, such as mental illness.

Our aim is to have Expert Patients in a stable condition attend a class, and be actively involved in teaching and learning of our future doctors.

The role of an Expert Patient

If you are recruited as an Expert Patient Volunteer you will initially be required to take part in a training session. This includes the following:

• Volunteer programme in the GSM.
• Curriculum information.
• Communication skills and giving feedback to students.
• Information about your condition.

Following training you may be invited to participate in student learning sessions. For example physical examinations of the heart and lungs or allowing the students to ask questions to gain a medical history. This will not include intimate or internal examinations.

All volunteers will need to give informed consent to take part in any learning and teaching activities. Volunteers will also always be informed of the nature of the activity in writing and the level of commitment required in advance to allow for some preparation.

How available would I have to be?

Expert Patients are needed one to four times per year depending on the condition and number of learning sessions.

Also, if some other activity arises where your condition would be beneficial to student learning, we may call you to see if you are interested in coming in. We would discuss the situation, transport and parking with you at this time.

If you are interested but have limited availability please indicate as such on your Expression of Interest Form (EOI).

Does it cost anything?

Training will be provided for Patient Volunteers by the GSM at no cost to volunteers. When volunteers are required to attend training and/or activities at the Clinical Skills Centre, the GSM will assist in transportation to and from the venue, and reimburse costs where necessary. Refreshments will also be provided during these occasions.

Commencement date

As soon as your ready and depending on your condition and the teaching time table. The Clinical Skills Centre, Patient Volunteer team will contact you to ascertain your availability.

Do I receive treatment for my existing (or new) illnesses?

No. The Patient Volunteer role is to act as a patient to assist students in the development of skills. The medical students will not be treating volunteers, prescribing medication or making diagnoses except in a role-play situation.

If during participation in a session, either a student or a teacher believes you may need to seek medical assistance, it will be privately discussed with you and an appropriate referral will be made.

What happens to my personal details?

All personal details and information provided by Patient Volunteers remains confidential. It will only be used by the GSM to determine and assist your initial and ongoing participation in the programme.

What if I change my mind or my circumstances change?

If you have put in your EOI or you begin the programme but decide that you no longer wish to participate, please discuss with the Patient Volunteer Co-ordinator. There may be a minimum commitment you can make or you may need more flexible arrangements. We will do our best to consider and accommodate your needs.

How do I find out more?

If you have read all the provided information, and would like to find out more please contact the Patient Volunteer Coordinator at the GSM. Alternatively, you can post or email your Expression of Interest directly.

Contact Details

Expression of Interest Form

• Download Expert Patient Programme Expression of Interest Form [PDF 22KB]