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(L-R) Dr Emma Lightbody, A/Prof Henry Ma, Dr Sanduni
Fernando,
A/Prof Darren Mansfield, Dr Gina Tuch, Dr Damien Tharmaratnam
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Monash Health trainee physicians, the majority being Monash University
medical graduates, have achieved another excellent pass rate in the recent
Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) clinical examinations with 19 out
of 22 candidates passing the exam.
Director, Physician Training at Monash Health Associate Professor Henry
Ma together with Associate Professor Darren Mansfield, Consortia Director of Physician
Education, believe is it the strong culture of education and training that
delivers this success.
“We emphasise a mutually supportive environment—we encourage trainees to
support each other with the help of individually assigned mentors throughout
this very difficult exam,” said Associate Professor Ma, who is also Director of
Stroke Unit at Monash Health.
The comprehensive exam preparation program at Monash Health includes
individually scheduled long cases, short case tutorials,
a mentorship program (every candidate has a personal mentor), a linguistic
workshop, sub-specialty days, mock exams, and lots of input from consultants,
fellows and advanced trainees.
“We also have seven RACP national examiners at
Monash Health, all of whom have extensive experience in RACP clinical
examinations,” said Associate Professor Ma.
Successful trainee and Monash University MBBS
graduate Dr Sanduni Fernando said the physicians at Monash Health were integral
in their preparation.
“Not only were the physicians individually assigned to mentor us, they
provided feedback for long cases, ran short case sessions almost daily, and
volunteered countless after hours sessions on week nights and weekends,” said
Dr Fernando.
Dr Damien Tharmaratnam also attributes the supportive atmosphere and
structured education program to the remarkable success rate.
“There were
a number of specialty days organised throughout the year which focussed on each
specialty in detail,” said Dr Tharmaratnam, another Monash University MBBS
graduate.
“The mock
exams simulated the real exam very closely and helped us know what to expect on
the day. We even had a speech therapist
conduct individual sessions to work on our presentation style.”
“Dr Ma is
one of the most dedicated doctors I’ve come across, spending his weekends
listening to long cases and staying back as late as midnight on some days to
hear group long cases,” said Dr Tharmaratnam.
Dr Gina Tuch
completed her medical degree and internship in Perth but decided to move to
Melbourne to complete her physician training.
“It’s been a
hard 18 months, but I couldn’t have had a better opportunity nor been more
supported,” said Dr Tuch.
Associate
Professor Ma said he sees the physician training as a journey we travel
together with the candidates.
“I
would absolutely recommend physician training through Monash Health,
although the results really speak for themselves,” said successful trainee Dr
Emma Lightbody.
All the candidates acknowledge Associate Professor Henry Ma, Associate
Professor Darren Mansfield, Dr Andy Lim, Dr Chris Daley, Dr Marcus Robertson,
Mr Damian Burns, and Ms Carol Low for their organisation and commitment to the
program.
