This year’s conference will be proceeding in an all face-to-face format, with students attending ALL 4 days of the conference in-person.
All workshops and wellness activities will be taking place in-person, as well all of our academic symposia. We are still working through COVID-19 protocols with the University and will be in concordance with government policy.
All students will be emailed a registration link in the early May.
Please be aware that the registration link will be emailed to students in advance, but the form will not be open for responses outside of the registration times specified below:
- MD4 (incl. MPH/MCR): TBC
- MD3: TBC
- MD2: TBC
- MD1: TBC
- MPH/MCR: RBC; registration to open once all MD students have been allocated a workshop
Even though registration is staggered across four days, there is a set quota for each workshop and wellness activity across all year levels (so do not fear MD1s!). For all days, it is expected that you will engage with the conference in-person. If you feel as though you will be unable to commit to these expectations due to extenuating circumstances, please email the MDSC Subject Coordinator, Dr Justin Bilszta (jbilszta@unimelb.edu.au) as soon as possible.
Marvel Stadium is best accessed by train or tram. See venue page for specific instructions:
COVIDSafe Plan and Questions
We are still working through the COVID guidelines for MDSC2023.
Last year's guidelines are listed below:
MDSC2022 will be employing several COVID-safe practices including compulsory face masks while at the in-person venue. Here are the guidelines:
- You must be fully vaccinated to attend the conference unless you have a valid medical exemption.
- Complete a symptom self-assessment prior to leaving home everyday. Do not come to the conference if you are unwell, even with very mild symptoms.
- Maintain 1.5 metres distance from others during the event, where possible.
- Do not come to the conference if you are required to isolate or quarantine for any reason and/or you are awaiting results of a COVID-19 test.
- As per University of Melbourne guidelines, if you are identified as a household contact, you can only attend if you are asymptomatic, wear a P2 mask and have a negative RAT result before attending each day.
- Face masks are compulsory inside the venue, however can be taken off for food and drink.
- Let a member of the Organising Team know immediately if you become unwell during your in-person conference day.
- Please let a member of the Organising Team know that you are feeling unwell.
- Your health and wellbeing is of utmost priority. If you are seriously ill or have difficulty breathing, 000 will be called.
- If the symptoms are mild, you will be offered the opportunity to complete a RAT test in an isolated room or outdoor area.
- Notify the Department of Health if the positive result was confirmed on a RAT via https://dhvicgovau.powerappsportals.com/rapid-antigen-test/
- Notify the University of Melbourne’s Public Health Network to initiate contact tracing, via public-health-network@unimelb.edu.au
- Submit a Short Leave of Absence to the Department of Medical Education
- Notify events@melbournemdconference.org.au
I'm an MD1
MD Student Conference is a unique and innovative step in medical education that brings together students of all years within the Melbourne Medical School into a setting akin to what they will experience in the future as medical professionals. It provides an opportunity to explore facets of medicine not covered by the MD curriculum.
Attendance information will be collected across all four days. More information will be released regarding attendance monitoring at a later date.
As mentioned previously, if you feel as though you are unable to meet attendance requirements due to extenuating circumstances, we strongly encourage you to contact Dr Justin Bilszta (jbilszta@unimelb.edu.au) as soon as possible.
MDSC is a subject that is worth 6.25 credit points each year. As well as having a 100% attendance rate, you will need to complete all necessary elements of your e-Portfolio by the due dates to pass. It’s peer-assessed, so try to have a fun with it!
Assessment for 2023 is currently being reviewed and will be shared at a later date. All the details will be posted on the assessment page of the website in due course.
The ePortfolio is the official assessment task for MDSC. It’s like an electronic journal, where you reflect on your experiences using a range of media, including text, images, and videos. You will be able to access your e-Portfolio through Canvas. You will need to complete a number of tasks to make up points. It’s peer-assessed, so try to have fun with it! More information is available on the assessment page here.
YES! MD Student Conference is a compulsory subject that is worth 6.25 credit points, with hurdle assessment (refer to Assessment page).
In previous years, the cohort received an extra week of lectures, but now we have MDSC instead!
Once you have graduated, most of your learning will be in a conference setting. MDSC allows you to practice that now. You will be presented with up-to-date information about current medical technologies, gain insight into more controversial aspects of medicine and medicine’s relationship to society. You will also get a break from traditional lecture-style learning, and get some hands-on experience.
After graduation, most of your learning will take place in conference settings. MDSC will help you prepare for a new way of learning in a professional setting and out of the classroom. Not all of your learning can be obtained in the hospital, and MDSC is a glimpse into your future as a doctor who is continually learning.
MDSC changes every year. It’s a great way to update your knowledge of medical technologies, social trends that relate back to medical practice, and get in touch with the patient experience. It’s your chance to pick the learning, the academic content, that is relevant to you.
It is also a great opportunity to catch up with your peers from other clinical schools in person!
Assessment information will be released in due time as we are currently working with the university on this. Attendance is mandatory.
Have a question? If it isn't answered above...
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