Summer Elective hosted by Mercy Hospital for Women

While gaining more exposure than in 2020, the students could not gain pre-pandemic exposure in Women’s Health during the Doctor of Medicine (MD) course in 2021. The Women’s Health team quickly ‘pivoted’ and implemented initiatives to maximise the students’ learning in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G), and Neonatal Paediatrics.

Students engaging in simulated learning using rubber infants.

Pictured: Students engaging in hands-on learning.

By popular demand the Mercy Hospital for Women teaching team hosted their Summer Elective for the second year across the 2021/2022 summer break to eager MD students. This summer they hosted over 50 students from across all MMS Clinical Schools for over eight weeks. Feedback on the rotation includes:

  • “It's a must-do if you're interested in O&G”
  • “Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to further our knowledge and skills in WH”
  • “Awesome experience! Very organised and lots of academic tutorials”
  • “Great workshops! Really fun and interactive and easy to follow along”
  • “Very valuable and hands-on skills teaching”
  • “Very well organised, friendly team of O&G doctors, good variety of procedural and surgical skill teaching”

The Women’s Health team are hugely grateful to all the many consultants, registrars, midwives, and nurses who have embraced the eager students over this summer period and are going above and beyond to teach the hidden curriculum of women’s and newborns’ health.

In a first, the Women’s Health team offered Obstetrics and Gynaecology workshops that were a hit with the students. In these workshops, students were able to experience hands-on learning and ask questions in small groups.

Overall, the students were thrilled to take up the opportunity and responded positively to the summer placement organised by Sarah Marcola, Dr Naomi Holbeach, Dr Liz McCarthy, Dr Stella Italiano, and Dr Monica McGauran.