Internal Medicine: Keys to Understanding

with Prof Boyd Jones and Dr Darren Merrett

February 2009

Do you have problems managing medicine cases?

Do you want to develop an effective treatment plan for your patient?

Internal Medicine is an incredibly diverse field and it is well beyond the bounds of possibility for a space and time-constrained distance education course to totally illuminate the whole field. However, what we can achieve is to help you build a ‘framework of understanding’ (i.e. the ‘big picture’) for particular topics or areas of study. This framework is then available to be fleshed out with specific disease and case examples in the modules to provide:

a) a short-term goal of immediate insight into a topic, and
b) a long-term goal of providing a foundation for future study and experience.

By way of example, in the neurology module, rather than teaching how to perform a neurological examination (many textbooks already cover this topic in excellent detail and clarity), our aim is to teach you how to interpret the information to localise lesions and generate differential lists and appropriate future case management plans.

By participating in this course, you can expect to:

• develop a framework of understanding in the vast field of internal medicine
• improve your interpretation skills
• gain a better mental approach to internal medicine problems

Tutors

Prof Boyd Jones
BVSc FACVSc DECVIM MRCVS

Prof Boyd Jones graduated from Massey University and after working in mixed practice he taught at the University of Melbourne until 1975. Boyd then returned to Massey University where he became associate professor and the head of the Small Animal Clinic and Hospital. He undertook periods of sabbatical in Britain and America and held the position of adjunct professor in small animal internal medicine at the University of Florida. In 1997, Boyd accepted the chair in small animal clinical studies at University College, Dublin. Boyd is a fellow of the Australian College and Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, and has acted as examiner for the Australian College and Royal College fellowship and diploma examinations. He has participated worldwide in veterinary continuing education programs and post-graduate education. Boyd returns to New Zealand in late 2008 and will be based in the Bay of Plenty.

Dr Darren Merrett
BVSc MVS Cert. SAC FACVSc

Dr Darren Merrett graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1984. After three years in private practice he returned to the University of Melbourne, first as an intern and then as a resident. Darren then completed a residency at the University of Bristol, United Kingdom before returning to gain fellowship of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists. After obtaining fellowship, Darren established a private medical referral service in Melbourne that has now grown to a three specialist practice. Darren is one of the leading internists in this country and, as the senior partner in the medical department of the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Service, provides expert back-up which many general practitioners will already appreciate. He is one of the growing number of specialists we are lucky enough to have in Australia, and who enjoy sharing their knowledge and expertise with their colleagues in general practice. Darren is a natural and extremely effective tutor. You will appreciate his practical approach to, and his appreciation of, internal medicine problems.

Enquiries

Please contact Karen Hewitt, Course coordinator

All particpantss are required to  be CVE members.