UNIVERSITY of BRADFORD Academic Year 2014-15School of Health Studiesdivision of Service

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD Academic Year 2014-15School of Health StudiesDivision of Service Development and ImprovementProgramme title: PG Dip/PG Cert in Musculoskeletal Medicine with Rheumatology for General Practitioners with a Special Interest

Awarding institution: / University of Bradford
Final award: / PG Diploma, PG Certificate Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 7
Programme title: / Musculoskeletal Medicine with Rheumatology for General Practitioners with a Special Interest
Programme accredited by: / Royal College of General Practitioners
British Society of Rheumatology
Level
Duration: / 7
18 months part-time
UCAS code: / N/A
Date produced: / May 2008
Last Approved School Board: / August 2014

Introduction

This programme is one of a series of programmes which is taught by NHS West and South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Commissioning Support Unit (WSYBCSU) and awarded by the University of Bradford. The programmes fall under the collaborative provision regulations, so although the programes are taught wholly from within the NHS, quality assurance and assessment are governed by University of Bradford regulations.

This part-time diploma programme contains a large element of work-based and shared learning. As attendance in Bradford only requires a total of 7 study days on 4 separate occasions throughout the 18 months, the programe is accessible to students nationally. This programme enables General Practitioners (GPs) to gain a formally recognised standard of competence in the area of Musculoskeletal Medicine with Rheumatology (MSK) as a Special Interest. It is the first postgraduate competence-based programme for GPwSIs to offer national accreditation in this subject, run from within the NHS and taught by consultants and GPs with a Special Interest. In this regard, the programme has been well received by key professional medical bodies.

The programme structure is specifically designed to encourage the development of this specialist practitioner role, by encouraging collaborative clinical work-based training between the GP and the consultant.

During the programme the emphasis will lie on critical thinking, reflective learning and practicing of evidence-based medicine. The programme is taught mainly from within the NHS, by specialist consultants and Practitioners with a Special Interest in Musculoskeletal Medicine and Rheumatology and by Service Improvement Managers.

Programme Aims

Postgraduate Certificate Programme Aims

The programme is intended to:

A1 develop the specialist knowledge and skills to enable you to work independently to treat patients with either disorders of the upper limb and inflammatory arthropathies or disorders of the lower limb and metabolic bone disease or disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and chronic widespread pain disorders and to deal with complex clinical situations systematically;

A2 develop a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of consultant specialists and the multidisciplinary team in secondary care and to establish appropriate relationships with these professionals;

A3 position practitioners at the forefront of musculoskeletal/rheumatological knowledge to develop and establish the most appropriate integrated care pathways between primary and secondary care for the patient with current NHS guidelines;

A4 engage practitioners in life-long learning through the enhancement of key skills, a thorough knowledge of critical appraisal and reflective practice;

A5 provide practitioners with a special interest with transferable nationally recognised training in either disorders of the upper limb and inflammatory arthropathies or disorders of the lower limb and metabolic bone disease or disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and chronic widespread pain disorders.

Postgraduate Diploma Programme Aims

The programme is intended to:

A1 develop the specialist knowledge and skills to enable primary care practitioners to practice musculoskeletal medicine and rheumatology at a higher level and to deal with complex clinical situations systematically;

A4 engage practitioners in life-long learning through the enhancement of key skills, a thorough knowledge of critical appraisal and reflective practice;

A5 provide practitioners with a special interest with transferable nationally recognised training in musculoskeletal medicine with rheumatology.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Postgraduate Certificate Programme Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this award, you will be able to:

B1 Subject Knowledge and Understanding

B1.1 critically analyse and apply current and emerging knowledge at the forefront of the discipline with regard to the pathophysiology and epidemiology of either disorders of the upper limb and inflammatory arthropathies or disorders of the lower limb and metabolic bone disease or disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and chronic widespread pain disorders;

B1.2 contribute to the development of clinical protocols and practice within the care pathway linking primary and secondary care in line with the current recommendations;

B1.3 make strategic and appropriate clinical decisions within the relevant care pathway with regard to the treatment and referral of patients with either disorders of the upper limb and inflammatory arthropathies or disorders of the lower limb and metabolic bone disease or disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and chronic widespread pain disorders;

B2 Discipline Skills

B2.1 Diagnose and manage patients with either disorders of the upper limb and inflammatory arthropathies or disorders of the lower limb and metabolic bone disease or disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and chronic widespread pain by means of appropriate investigations, clinical interventions, referrals and/or lifestyle advice;

B2.2 Critically reflect and make sound clinical judgments on the most appropriate treatment modality for patients who present with either disorders of the upper limb and inflammatory arthropathies or disorders of the lower limb and metabolic bone disease or disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine and chronic widespread pain disorders and treat or refer accordingly;

B2.3 Communicate complex clinical conclusions clearly to patients and the clinical team;

B2.4 Critically appraise and update own clinical knowledge and skills;

B2.5 Evaluate the GPwSI role, and its implications for the whole patient pathway and current techniques for improving the delivery of patient care.

B3 Personal Transferable Skills

B3.1 Act autonomously and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary context.

B3.2 Communicate effectively.

B3.3 Critically reflect on and evaluate a wide range of information, and make complex decisions as a result of this process.

B3.4 Use information technology as a medium for communication and presentation of data.

B3.5 Gain the skills to enable continuous professional development.

Students who successfully complete the Diploma will be able to progress to the MSc in Musculoskeletal Medicine with Rheumatology for Practitioners with a Special Interest. Students who successfully complete the Diploma will have a greater breadth of knowledge of Musculoskeletal Medicine with Rheumatology than those who complete the Certificate. This programme is delivered through the School of Health Studies at the University of Bradford.

Postgraduate Diploma Programme Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this award, you will be able to:

B1 Subject Knowledge and Understanding

B1.1 critically analyse and apply current and emerging knowledge at the forefront of the discipline with regard to the pathophysiology and epidemiology of musculoskeletal disease;

B1.2 contribute to the development of clinical protocols and practice within the care pathway linking primary and secondary care in line with the current recommendations;

B1.3 make strategic and appropriate clinical decisions within the relevant care pathway with regard to the treatment and referral of patients;

B2 Discipline Skills

B2.1 Diagnose and manage patients by means of appropriate investigations, clinical interventions, referrals and/or lifestyle advice;

B2.2 Critically reflect and make sound clinical judgments on the most appropriate treatment modality for patients who present with musculoskeletal and rheumatological disorders and treat or refer accordingly;

B2.3 Communicate complex clinical conclusions clearly to patients and the clinical team;

B2.4 Critically appraise and update own clinical knowledge and skills;

B2.5 Evaluate the GPwSI role, and its implications for the whole patient pathway and current techniques for improving the delivery of patient care.

B3 Personal Transferable Skills

B3.1 Act autonomously and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary context.

B3.2 Communicate effectively.

B3.3 Critically reflect on and evaluate a wide range of information, and make complex decisions as a result of this process.

B3.4 Use information technology as a medium for communication and presentation of data.

B3.5 Gain the skills to enable continuous professional development.

The Curriculum

The Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine with Rheumatology for Practitioners with a Special Interest is a modular programme encompassing four modules, three of which are clinical and one of which is a service improvement module. Each of the three clinical modules lasts six months. The service improvement module (Applied Methodologies) can be taken alongside one or more of the other modules, over a maximum period of 18 months.

Postgraduate Certificate

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
HH8000T / Applied Methodologies / Core / 30 / 7 / Up to 18 months
HH8023T / Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Limb and Inflammatory Arthropathies / Option / 30 / 7 / 6 months
HH8024T / Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Lower Limb and Metabolic Bone Disease / Option / 30 / 7 / 6 months
HH8025T / Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Spine and Chronic Widespread Pain Disorders / Option / 30 / 7 / 6 months

Postgraduate Diploma

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
HH8000T / Applied Methodologies / Core / 30 / 7 / 18 months
HH8023T / Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Limb and Inflammatory Arthropathies / Core / 30 / 7 / 6 months
HH8024T / Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Lower Limb and Metabolic Bone Disease / Core / 30 / 7 / 6 months
HH8025T / Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Spine and Chronic Widespread Pain Disorders / Core / 30 / 7 / 6 months

Each module is worth 30 credits, amounting to a total of 120 credits. For the Postgraduate Diploma, all 30-credit modules are core modules. For the Postgraduate Certificate, the only core module is the Applied Methodologies (AM) module. One or two options may be chosen from the clinical modules to form your programme of study. Any 30-credit module can be studied independently, outside of a Postgraduate award.

The curriculum may change, subject to the University’s programme approval, monitoring and review procedures.

Teaching and Assessment Strategies

The Postgraduate Diploma is run and delivered by WSYBCSU and the award is made through the University of Bradford. A key feature of the programme is the development of clinical competence in a work environment.

A variety of teaching methods is employed in the programme, to enable you to fulfill the varied modular learning outcomes. The learning within the programme is gained through:

1 direct tuition: this occurs at the beginning of each module in Bradford. Tutors are available by email if required during placement periods to handle learning queries. Tutors are clinical practitioners (PwSIs and consultant specialists).

2 work-based learning: this forms the central part of the programme of study, in the form of clinical placements – each six month module should contain at least 14 weeks of hands on practical study in a secondary care environment. This learning is undertaken on placement in the locality, under the supervision of a clinical mentor. You will approach the mentor in the first instance: they must be a GMC registered consultant in Orthopedics or Rheumatology whose name appears on a national register of practitioners, and who has teaching experience. The clinical mentor will receive a specific Mentor Guide including advice and support from the programme management team in fulfilling the role of mentor.

3 guided reading (given by tutor and mentor): this complements the placement and enables you to fulfil the theoretical background necessary for your placement activities, and prepares you for your written and presentational assignments.

4 e-learning: the virtual learning environment gives access to the peer group and tutors during placement, facilitating learning through clinical discussion, as well as providing support.

5 local research and application: The AM module involves working within the healthcare community to apply 3 different methodologies; learning takes place during the activities of researching and reading information, planning, preparation and application of these.

You will be provided with a detailed student handbook, containing guidance, marking criteria and reading lists. Assessment is designed to enable you to have a rounded measurement of the skills needed for your role in the healthcare community.

Clinical competence is verified through mentor signature after observation and discussion during the placement periods. Injections are assessed using the Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) form.

Learning outcome B1.1, B1.3, B2.1 and B2.3 will be developed through lectures, seminars and workshops on the teaching/assessment days; a programme manual; practical engagement with patients in the hospital setting under the supervision and mentorship of the consultant; reflective discussion with the mentor; reflective learning through case study preparation and clinical learning diary recording; the application of learning with patients in general practice and will be supported by guided reading. It will be assessed through clinical case studies, the learning diary and clinical competency and DOPS forms. Outcome B1.2 and B2.5 will be developed through the Applied Methodologies module and its written assignments. Outcome B2.2 will be developed through practical engagement with patients in the hospital setting as well as the own practice under the supervision and mentorship of the consultant and through reflective discussion with the mentor on these and other occasions, and will be assessed through the clinical competencies and learning diary, as well as through the clinical case studies. Outcome B2.4 and B3.1 – B3.3 will be developed throughout the programme in all modules and assessed through written and presentation work, as well as the learning diary and the clinical competencies. Outcome B3.4 is developed throughout the programme when making presentations, writing essays and submitting work for the Applied Methodologies programme.

Optionality is available to students studying for the Certificate in their choice of modules. It is available to students studying for the diploma in the choice of cases for the written reflective studies and the presentations.