This module will focus on the personal and professional attributes and qualities needed by students in the medical curriculum and as future medical practitioners and uses as a framework the Irish Medical Councils 8 domains of Good Professional Practice. These domains relate to patient care, professionalism and collaboration, communication and interpersonal skills, ethics and legal issues, clinical effectiveness, leadership and self-management. This longitudinal theme will be built within the Direct Entry Medical Curriculum to foster empathy and patient centred attitudes within medical training.

The syllabus has been designed to develop the professional attributes and behaviours expected within the profession. The module(s) will include preparing students for early patient exposure, and the integration of scientific knowledge with patient care. The following is indicative of the content to be covered in this syllabus: • Cultural competence and examination of the Irish Health care system and the diversity of patients, • Communication and Interpersonal skills, • Medical Ethics and decision making in the context of professional practice, 'fitness to practice', and the need for life-long learning, • Professionalism and Well Being, • The Role of the Doctor in Patient care, • Health Equity, • Team based learning and interprofessional practice, • Students will reflect on their learning and develop lifelong learning skills.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: • Describe the codes and professional conduct and standards as determined by the Irish Medical Council; • Recognise legal and ethical concepts that inform practice; • Discuss the structure of healthcare models and the contributions made by a range of healthcare science professions; • Apply person centred communication (verbal and written).

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: • Acknowledge possible enablers and challenges to the development of a patient relationship.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: • Perform simple skills (e.g handwashing, and introduction to communication skills) developed through demonstration and role play.

This is the first in a series of three modules that comprise a core spine of 15 (minimum) simulated clinical patient scenarios delivered through Years 1 and 2 of the Direct Entry medical curriculum. All students actively participate in the scenarios through PBL, integrating knowledge, skills and professional development, Clinical communication, medical ethics & law, cultural competence, professionalism & well-being feature in all scenarios. PBL will be accompanied by series of lectures that complement the case studies. Early Patient contact will reinforce the centrality of the patient experience. In engaging with the module appropriately, students will develop across the following domains of the UL Graduate Attributes: Curious (problem solver and knowledgeable), Agile (independent and open minded) and Articulate (collaborative, strong inter & intra-personal skills), Courageous (robust and innovative) and Responsible (personally, socially, professionally and ethically). The module will be continually informed by research findings within the medical profession.