South Australian Prevocational Medical Education Excellence Awards

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Thank you to Jack Turner from Jack Turner Photography

The SA MET Unit extends our gratitude to everyone who attended the South Australian Prevocational Medical Education Excellence Awards on Friday 27 September 2024 at SkyCity Adelaide.  This prestigious annual event hosted over 200 attendees and showcased unwavering commitment to education and dedication to ensuring our prevocational medical workforce is well equipped and strongly supported.

Click here to view the 2024 nominees.

Winners Announced 

Team Culture Award
Joint Winners

Emergency Department, Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service, (MGDHS) LCLHN 

The Emergency Department at MGDHS is committed to excellence in prevocational medical education, and creating a welcoming, inclusive environment. Senior clinicians offer clear induction, uphold high standards for patient-centred care and balance supervision with independent learning. The department fosters a friendly, multicultural atmosphere, promotes open communication, and enforces a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination. Emphasising climate consciousness, the team integrates environmental awareness into daily practices. With a focus on holistic care, growth and work-life balance, the team exemplifies a “see one, do one, teach one” culture.

Emergency Department, Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service team accepting their award from the Hon Chris Picton, Minister for Health and Wellbeing

Medical Education Unit, The Adelaide Prevocational Psychiatry Program (TAPPP), CALHN

The TAPPP Medical Education Unit (MEU) exemplifies educational inclusivity with a thorough orientation, focused on TMOs’ professional and personal wellbeing. The MEU fosters a supportive environment, emphasising respect and community engagement. Established to enhance TMO exposure to psychiatry, the small team promotes mutual respect and open communication. TMOs receive personalised support with additional protected time for individual supervision with consultants, balancing supervision, and independence to aid professional growth. Regular feedback drives continuous improvement and encourages TMOs to contribute to the education program development.

Medical Education Unit, The Adelaide Prevocational Psychiatry Program after accepting their award from the Hon Chris Picton, Minister for Health and Wellbeing

Support and Debrief of Challenging Cases Award

Medical Education Unit, NALHN

The Medical Education Unit (MEU) at NALHN maintains an open-door policy, encourages reflective practice, and provides a safe space where trainees feel heard and respected. Regular debriefs, often initiated by trainees, address challenging clinical cases or personal circumstances. These sessions, prompted by complex cases, difficult interactions, or feedback, include at least two staff members for diverse perspectives and support. Follow-up sessions ensure accountability and continuous support. The MEU promotes a growth mindset, incorporating learning from both success and failure while framing medical training challenges as opportunities for growth and development.

Medical Education Unit, NALHN accepting their award from the Hon Chris Picton, Minister for Health and Wellbeing

Outstanding Support in Rural and Remote Environments Award

Cummins Medical Team, EFNLHN

The Cummins Medical team fosters a strong community culture, emphasising clinical learning and optimised patient care in a rural setting. They prepare TMOs thoroughly, with clear role expectations and exceptional community support, including social invitations. Despite potential isolation, robust support and clear issue escalation pathways are provided. Supervisors offer tailored advice on clinical challenges, career navigation and wellbeing. Rotating TMOs positively impact local healthcare with the team supported by dedicated clinical staff who address challenges faced in the rural region. 

Cummins Medical team accepting their award from the Hon Chris Picton, Minister for Health and Wellbeing

Interprofessional Medical Education and Training Award
Joint Winners

Partnered Pharmacist Medication Prescribing SA Pharmacy Statewide Clinical Support Services

The Partnered Pharmacist Medication Prescribing model provides high-quality interprofessional interactions. This collaborative model involves TMOs and pharmacists working together in real time in emergency departments, both assessing the patient, reviewing, and co-signing a medication management plan. TMOs benefit from reduced cognitive burden during complex medical admissions and valuable interprofessional learning. Pharmacists enjoy contributing to therapeutic decision-making, learning new skills, and collaborating with an interprofessional team. Feedback is extremely positive, highlighting the value, safety and reassurance provided by medication experts.

Partnered Pharmacist Medication Prescribing team accepting their award from the Hon Chris Picton, Minister for Health and Wellbeing

Simulation and Education Team, Emergency Department, Flinders Medical Centre, SALHN

The Simulation Team conducts weekly high-fidelity simulations in the ED resuscitation bay. These sessions prepare staff for high-acuity presentations, identifying strengths and weaknesses and developing a shared mental model for the day’s work. Involving staff at all levels, the simulations promote collaboration and medication safety and expands on staff knowledge base. The team strives for improvement through mandatory debriefings, allowing encouragement of colleagues and perspective sharing, further contributing to the shared mental model.

Simulation and Education team, Emergency Department, Flinders Medical Centre, SALHN accepting their award from the Hon Chris Picton, Minister for Health and Wellbeing

Lifetime Achievement in Prevocational Medical Education and Training Award

Dr Lawrie Palmer,
Palliative Medicine Specialist, Senior Consultant, Northern Adelaide Palliative Service, NALHN 

Dr Lawrie Palmer has integrated clinical education with his career for over 30 years, leading by example even before becoming the Head of Unit for Palliative Care and DCT. He partnered with the University of Adelaide to teach students on placement through lectures and he educates interns and trainees in his unit, fostering a strong culture of learning and growth. He has consistently promoted clinical education within palliative care and grand rounds. A humble and committed clinician, he continues to mentor junior consultants and trainees, exemplifying leadership and dedication to colleagues, students, and patients.

Dr John Maddison accepted the award on behalf of Dr Lawrie Palmer presented by the Hon Chris Picton, Minister for Health and Wellbeing

Thank you to our 2024 sponsors:

The University of Adelaide - Course Seeker
Exclusive Gold Sponsor:
Adelaide Health Simulation, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences,
The Adelaide University
Certificate / Awards sponsor:
Rural Generalist Program
Flinders University – Defence SA
Certificate / Awards sponsor:
College of Medicine and Public Health,
Flinders University
Custom Sponsor:
SAPMEA

Interested in being a sponsor in 2025?

Our sponsorship opportunities are designed to be value for money and your generous contribution will ensure the continued success in celebrating and recognising the ongoing achievements of the hardworking educators and trainers of prevocational medical officers in SA Health. For more information please email healthsamet@sa.gov.au

Past South Australian Prevocational Medical Education Excellence Awards