Acute Medicine Postgraduate Diploma
Team: Acute Medicine Team
The online Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) in Acute Medicine provides you with the opportunity to shape the future of this rapidly evolving, multidisciplinary specialty. Course Code: QPDP074
Course Information
Diploma MSc is a collaborative partner of the University of South Wales. On successful completion of this course, you will receive a University of South Wales Postgraduate Diploma in Acute Medicine.
Acute medicine is a rapidly evolving specialty that functions as the bedrock of hospital-based medicine and emergency care. Since many registered healthcare professionals undertake acute medicine as part of their daily routines, there is an increasing demand for tailored education, particularly at a postgraduate level. Our course answers this demand, enabling you to develop a systematic understanding of evidence-based, protocol-delivered practice, which is crucial in optimising acute care.
In contrast to a practical course in acute medicine, our theoretical course aims to supplement the education of registered healthcare professionals, providing a knowledge for direct patient benefit and critical appraisal skills. Additionally, our students are equipped with an understanding of relevant methodologies and approaches, which can be implemented when addressing complex issues surrounding patient management within the workplace.
Course Structure
Our online Acute Medicine Postgraduate Diploma lasts for one calendar year and is a part-time, distance learning course. It consists of six modules per year, each over a duration of six weeks.
Module Aims
The module uses relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches to address complex cases, applying guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with cardio-respiratory conditions.
Module Content
This module provides a directed approach to the management of patients with acute respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including the management of severe hypertension, acute heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmias, thromboembolic disease, acute exacerbations of chronic respiratory disease, pneumonia, pneumothorax, pleural effusions, acute asthma, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module, you will be able to use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches in the diagnosis and management of patients presenting with acute respiratory and cardiovascular conditions; demonstrate an ability to apply evidence-based practice in acute cardiovascular and respiratory scenarios; and appraise, reflect upon and create ways forward in the management of patients presenting with acute cardio-respiratory conditions within the multidisciplinary team.
Module Aims
The module aims to enhance the management of complex cases presenting with a variety of acute diabetic and endocrine conditions. It also aims to develop a knowledge of guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients.
Module Content
This module provides an understanding of the management of patients presenting with acute diabetic and endocrine diseases, including diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycaemia, hyperosmolar non-ketosis, acute hypercalcaemia, thyrotoxicosis, hypocalcaemia and adrenal crisis.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module, you will be able to use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnosis and management employed in the treatment of patients presenting with acute endocrine conditions; and critically analyse, interpret and evaluate evidence and guideline-based strategies in the management of acutely unwell patients with diabetes related conditions.
Module Aims
The module aims to reformulate and use relevant understandings, methodologies and approaches to assess and manage complex cases, applying guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with gastrointestinal conditions.
Module Content
This module delivers an understanding of the management of patients presenting with acute gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses. These include upper GI haemorrhage, acute abdominal pain, intractable vomiting, inflammatory bowel disease, acute liver disease, hepatic encephalopathy, cirrhosis, GI infections (such as dysentery and gastroenteritis) and GI malignancy.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module, you will be able to use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnostic synthesis and management strategy employed in the treatment of patients presenting with acute gastrointestinal (GI) conditions; and demonstrate an ability to apply your evidence-based learning and guideline-based treatment in acute GI disorders.
Module Aims
To apply guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients, facilitating the critical evaluation of actions, methods and results used in the management of acute infections.
Module Content
The management of patients presenting with acute bacterial, viral and fungal infection relating to all organ systems; management, investigation and diagnosis of sepsis and bacteraemia; and management of the immune compromised individual in relation to infection.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module, you will be able to use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnosis and management strategy employed in the treatment of patients presenting with acute infections; critically analyse, interpret and evaluate the presentation, cause and management of the immune-compromised patients in the acute medical setting; and demonstrate an ability to apply evidence-based practice and guideline-based treatment with acute infections/sepsis.
Module Aims
To develop a critical understanding of the assessment and management of acute neurological disorders and strokes, applying guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acute neurological disorders and strokes.
Module Content
This module intends to cover the diagnosis and management of patients presenting with acute neurological disorders such as acute stroke, epilepsy, cerebral infections, cerebral haemorrhage/haematomas, venous sinus thrombosis, presentations with acute cerebral malignancy, dystonias, ataxias, acute neuronopathies/neuropathies and raised intracranial pressure.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module, you will be able to use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnosis and management strategy employed in the investigation and treatment of patients presenting with acute neurological disorders; and demonstrate a critical understanding of evidence-based practice and guideline-based treatment in neurological disorders, including stroke medicine.
Module Aims
To develop a critical understanding of the assessment and management of acute kidney, metabolic and toxicological disorders and apply guideline and evidence-based care.
Module Content
The management of toxicological emergencies (such as overdoses, both accidental and non-accidental), acute drug reactions and anaphylaxis. The module will also cover the presentation of patients with metabolic and renal issues, including acute kidney injury, acid-base disorders, hyperkalemia and acute hyponatraemia. It will also touch upon the implementation of renal replacement therapy, including dialysis.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module, you will be able to use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnostic synthesis and management strategy employed in the investigation and treatment of patients presenting with acute kidney disorders; demonstrate a critical understanding of the assessment and management of overdose and acute metabolic disturbance; and apply evidence-based practice and guideline-based treatment in renal, metabolic and toxicological disorders.
Teaching Methods
Although you’ll be learning online you will be part of a group with 10 to 15 other students. Your self-directed distance learning will be guided by tutor-stimulated discussion based on clinically rich case scenarios.
You’ll do a combination of individual and group projects, and you’ll have a reflective practice portfolio to help you consider how what you’re learning on the course can be translated into everyday work and practice.
You’ll have the support of a dedicated team who will help you with any challenges you may face - from help with navigating our online learning platform to advice on what you need to do to pass the course and meet deadlines.
You’ll be invited to an Induction Day where you will meet tutors and have workshops on study skills such as scientific writing, levels of evidence, Harvard referencing and reflective writing. The induction will be at the University of South Wales in the UK. It is not compulsory to attend but if you would like to and don't live locally, you can take part online.
Assessments
The course puts assessment at the heart of learning by using clinical scenarios to facilitate problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based care. The scenarios act as both the focus for learning and assessment, embedding assessment within the learning process.
Each of the 6 modules has the same assessment format:
- Clinical case scenarios with case based discussion - 40%
- Individual learning portfolio - 10%
- Group/individual activity - 20%
- Case based examination - 30%
You will be assigned a dedicated expert tutor who will facilitate clinical case discussions with the group and monitor, assess and mark your work throughout each module.
Due to the online nature of the course, you will be expected to login and participate in the course regularly throughout the module, ideally on a daily basis.
Entry Requirements
To secure your place on the course you typically need a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare field (e.g. medicine, nursing), a minimum IELTS score of 6 or equivalent and be a registered healthcare professional.
Applications will be judged on the individual specifics of background and qualifications including the ability to work at Postgraduate level (applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at Postgraduate level and demonstrate requisite clinical/professional knowledge).
Course Fees
| Total Course Fees for UK/EU & International Students for September 2019: | £3900 |
Please Note: These are the fees for a single year.
Fee payments may be made via the following options:
| Date | Option A | Option B | Option C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit payable on acceptance† | £480 | £480 | £480 |
| 1st September 2019 | £3,420 | £570 | |
| 1st October 2019 | £1,140 | £570 | |
| 1st November 2019 | £570 | ||
| 1st December 2019 | £1,140 | £570 | |
| 1st January 2020 | £570 | ||
| 1st February 2020 | £1,140 | £570 |
† Deposits are non-refundable