Learning Coach
Programmatic Assessment, Portfolios, and Coaching in the MD Program
Programmatic assessment was introduced into the MD program in 2017 and continues to underpin how we support students to grow into capable, reflective medical practitioners. This approach brings together three integrated elements:
Since its introduction, the program has continued to thrive – due in large part to our dedicated team of Learning Coaches across South Australia and the Northern Territory.
A Learning Coach plays a pivotal role in helping students understand how they learn, not just what they learn. Coaches observe, judge, and guide students as they evaluate their performance, identify learning needs, and develop meaningful goals and review plans. They also help students stay accountable to these goals and monitor their progress over time.
In essence, a Learning Coach supports students to become self‑regulated learners and reflective future doctors.
How Coaching Works
Coaching occurs through one‑on‑one meetings at key stages throughout the four‑year MD program. These conversations are supported by the Professional Development and Learning Portfolio, where students document their goals, reflect on their progress, and demonstrate evidence of their development as emerging clinicians.
Coaching is a dynamic, interactive process. It helps students learn to evaluate their strengths and limitations, use feedback effectively, and set actionable learning goals that drive continuous improvement.
Coaching speaks to possibility and action. It draws on a diverse skillset that includes:
The aim is simple: to support students to prepare for, and become, the best doctors they can be.
Just like a sports coach, a Learning Coach does not need medical expertise. Their value lies in their ability to guide students in understanding their own learning processes. Give students content and they learn to pass exams. Equip them with insight into how they learn, and they become lifelong learners and capable practitioners.
A Transformative Partnership
Coaching is transformative – for both students and coaches. At its heart is a strong, trusting partnership between the student and their coach. This relationship is the foundation of the program’s success and the reason coaching remains a cornerstone of the MD experience.
Become a Learning Coach
If you are interested in supporting the next generation of medical practitioners and contributing to a culture of reflective, self‑directed learning, we would love to hear from you.
To express your interest in becoming a Learning Coach, please email:
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Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University
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