Medicine in Society Guide 2024/25

1. Introduction

The curriculum at Queen Mary University of London has been developed in accordance with the GMC’s Outcomes for Graduates (2018). This included recommendations that in all medical school curricula should: 

  • place a greater emphasis on teaching outside the lecture theatre, hospital and laboratory, in community settings 

  • enable a broader understanding of public health 

  • include a greater degree of “vertical” integration of clinical and non-clinical subjects throughout the medical curriculum 

  • ensure the principles of professional practice form the basis of medical education. 

Aims 

The overall aims of the Medicine in Society Year 1 unit are:

  • to introduce you to patients and their experience of health and ill-health over the course of their lives 
  • for you to start to develop and explore your professional identity. 

 

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of the course you should be able to: 

  • explain how patients are affected by their condition/s 

  • recognise how environmental, social, behavioural and cultural factors influence the experience of health and healthcare services 

  • list the public health influences that affect the development of ill-health and the restoration of health 

  • describe the roles of different members of the primary health care team 

  • demonstrate effective communication skills with patients, peers, and other healthcare professionals 

  • understand the importance of key ethical and professional principles e.g., confidentiality, consent, and capacity 

  • identify the consultation skills of healthcare professionals 

  • review your own learning needs and professional development, including using reflective practice and engaging with the giving and receiving of feedback 

 

Contacts 

Unit Convenors 

Dr Shabana Bharmal - shabana.bharmal@qmul.ac.uk  

Dr Dhrupadh Yerrakalva - d.yerrakalva@qmul.ac.uk  

Unit Administrator 

Miss Francesca Langridge  - f.langridge@qmul.ac.uk