Undergraduate

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The Paediatric undergraduate course comprises of an eight week comprehensive teaching programme, with lectures, presentations, roundtable discussions, evidence based projects and small group bedside clinical teaching. The Department supports the philosophy of self-directed and life-long learning.  Whilst students retain responsibility for their learning, this is supported by the extensive teaching programme and by the staff.  Students are encouraged to supplement the programme provided with personal study and research.

STUDENT HANDBOOK 2021-2022

  • The paediatric undergraduate course comprises of an eight week comprehensive teaching programme, with lectures, presentations, roundtable discussions, evidence based projects and small group bedside clinical teaching.
  • The course is provided in The National Children's Hospital, Tallaght Hospital and in addition students have a two week attachment at Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin and a one week attachment at the Children's University Hospital, Temple St or Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin. A number of visits to other healthcare institutions such as Laura Lynn Children's Hospice and PICU in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin are also provided. 
  • 1 week: Neonatology: neonatal paediatric teaching is delivered at the Coombe Women's University Hospital

The goals during the attachment are to acquire the following knowledge, skills and attitudes:

Knowledge and Understanding in:

  1. Growth, development and nutrition, fluid requirements and family dynamics
  2. The assessment, diagnosis and management of acute and chronic illness.
  3. The prevention of illness by health promotion, immunisation, by screening tests such as the Guthrie test at birth, developmental assessment, hearing tests and other developmental examinations.

Skills in:

  1. History taking and communication skills with children, parents, and the whole family.
  2. Clinical examination skills to detect abnormalities and to diagnose illness.
  3. Management by initiating investigation and treatment.
  4. Problem solving and critical analytical skills.

The students are encouraged to:  be enthusiastic, committed and efficient;  show concern, compassion and respect towards the child, parents, hospital staff and colleagues;  have a pride in belonging to the hospitals and the university;  be non-judgemental of parents, children, adolescents, and of differing social backgrounds and values;  and to critically evaluate journals, knowledge and new developments.

  1. To teach the recognition of the well and the ill infant or child by taking a thorough history and performing clinical assessment. Clinical examination is taught in the outpatient department, on the wards and in the accident and emergency department. Use of the Clinical Skills Laboratory and interactive modules are encouraged.
  2. To emphasise the importance of growth and development in childhood
  3. To provide sound basic knowledge of childhood health and disease

  1. To be able to communicate adequately with children and their parents
  2. To be able to take a good paediatric history
  3. To be able to examine the four ages of childhood, newborn, infant, toddler and older child.
  4. To be able to construct a reasonable differential diagnosis
  5. To be able to plan appropriate investigation and management

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