Acute Medicine Postgraduate Diploma
The online Acute Medicine Postgraduate Diploma provides you with the opportunity to shape the future of this rapidly evolving, multidisciplinary specialty. Course Code: QPDP047
Course Overview
Diploma MSc is a collaborative partner of the University of South Wales and on successful completion of this course, you will receive a 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 are exposed to acute medicine within their daily work routines, there is an increasing demand for tailored postgraduate education. Our course caters for this demand, enabling you to develop a systematic understanding of evidence-based, protocol-delivered practice that is pivotal in optimising acute care.
Unlike a practical course in acute medicine, our theoretical course aims to enhance the existing knowledge of healthcare professionals, and provides an in-depth understanding of relevant guidance and protocols in acute medicine. These can be implemented when addressing complex issues in patient management, directly benefiting patient care.
Course Structure
Our online Acute Medicine Postgraduate Diploma allows you to study for just one calendar year and is a part-time, distance-learning course. The course is worth 120 credits and comprises six modules of 20 credits, each running over a period of six weeks.
Module Aims
Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches to address complex cases and apply guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with cardio-respiratory conditions.
Module Content
Guideline directed approach to the management of patients with acute cardio-respiratory diseases including 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
- Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnosis and management of patients presenting with acute respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
- Demonstrate an ability to apply evidence-based learning in acute cardiovascular and respiratory scenarios.
- Appraise, reflect upon and create ways forward in the management of patients presenting with acute cardio-respiratory conditions within the multidisciplinary team.
Module Aims
Enhance the management of complex cases presenting with a variety of acute diabetic and endocrine conditions, and apply guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients.
Module Content
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
- Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients presenting with acute endocrine conditions.
- Critically analyse, interpret and evaluate evidence and guidance-based strategies in the management of acutely unwell patients with diabetic-related conditions.
Module Aims
Reformulate and use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches to assess and manage complex cases, and apply guideline and evidence-based care in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with gastrointestinal conditions.
Module Content
The management of patients presenting with acute gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses, including 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
- Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnostic synthesis and management strategy employed in the treatment of patients presenting with acute GI conditions.
- Demonstrate an ability to apply evidence-based learning and guideline-based treatment in acute GI disorders.
Module Aims
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; the management, investigation and diagnosis of sepsis and bacteraemia; and the management of the immune-compromised individual in relation to infection.
Learning Outcomes
- Use relevant understanding, methodologies and approaches for the diagnosis and management 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.
- Demonstrate an ability to apply evidence-based practice and guideline-based treatment with acute infections and sepsis.
Module Aims
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
The diagnosis and management of patients presenting with acute neurological disorders, including acute stroke, epilepsy, cerebral infections, cerebral haemorrhage and haematomas, and venous sinus thrombosis; presentations with acute cerebral malignancy, dystonias, ataxias, acute neuronopathies and neuropathies and raised intracranial pressure.
Learning Outcomes
- 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.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of evidence-based practice and guideline-based treatment in neurological disorders, including stroke medicine.
Module Aims
Develop a critical understanding of the assessment of acute kidney, metabolic and toxicological disorders and apply guideline and evidence-based care in the management of these disorders.
Module Content
The management of toxicological emergencies, such as overdoses (both accidental and non-accidental), acute drug reactions and anaphylaxis; the presentation of patients with metabolic and renal issues, including acute kidney injury, acid-base disorders, hyperkalemia and acute hyponatraemia; and the implementation of renal replacement therapy including dialysis.
Learning Outcomes
- 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.
- Apply evidence-based practice and guideline-based treatment in renal, metabolic and toxicological disorders.
Entry Requirements
Since our courses are conducted entirely online, they are accessible to both UK and international registered healthcare professionals.
To secure your place on the course, applicants will typically hold a first degree or equivalent (including international qualifications) in a relevant professional healthcare field, such as a medical or nursing degree. Registered healthcare professionals without these recognised qualifications will be considered on an individual basis and a wide range of prior experience may be taken into account.
In some cases, applicants may be asked to submit a piece of work for assessment in order to confirm that they are able to work comfortably at postgraduate level, and demonstrate the requisite clinical and professional knowledge.
English Language Requirements
Proficiency in the Engish language is also essential to completing our courses. If English is NOT your first language, we ask for proof of competency during the application process. We are able to accept an IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 for each band) or an equivalent qualification.
If you do not meet these requirements, please don’t worry. The University of South Wales run a number of English Language Programmes at the Centre for International English to prepare you for your academic studies. You can also contact our admissions team on [email protected] for more information on the qualifications we accept.
Teaching Methods
You will be supported throughout your studies by a committed team of internationally recognised educational experts. Find out more about our world-class tutors on the Acute Medicine Team Page.
Our courses are conducted entirely online through self-directed distance learning. You’ll receive guidance throughout your course with tutor-stimulated academic discussions, which are based on clinically-rich case scenarios. These usually occur within groups of 10-15 students, allowing you to clearly communicate with both your tutor and fellow students.
You will also participate in a combination of module activities that may be group and/or individual based, dependant on the module. These innovative teaching methods enable you to envisage the translation of your studies into your every day work and practice.
Our dedicated Student Support Team are also available to help with any problems you may face. From navigating our online platform to advising you on deadlines, our team can assist with any questions or challenges you may have along the way.
Online Induction Day
Once you have secured your place on the course, you will be invited to an Online Induction Day Webinar. This will give you the opportunity to participate in study skills workshops on Harvard Referencing, scientific and reflective writings, and levels of evidence in preparation for your studies. It is not compulsory for you to attend our Induction Day, but it is recommended as it’ll provide you with a sturdy introduction to the course.
Assessments
The Acute Medicine course places assessments at the heart of the learning process through the employment of clinical scenarios to enhance problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based care. Since the scenarios act as a focus for learning and assessment, the two are intrinsically linked.
The six modules on the course have the same assessment format and for all modules, you will be assigned a dedicated expert tutor. Your tutor will then facilitate case discussions with the group, whilst monitoring, assessing and marking your work throughout.
Due to the online nature of the course, you will be expected to regularly login and participate in the course - ideally on a daily basis. Students are recommended to spend around two hours per day on their studies.
- Every week students are presented with two/three clinical case-based scenarios that are reflective of every day clinical practice and research.
- Your tutor will post a number of questions and prompts to aid students in a formal discussion of each case.
- These discussions are facilitated throughout by your tutor and are then assessed at the end of every module.
The reflective journal is used by students throughout each module to monitor personal progress. This is guided by weekly feedback from your tutor and is graded at the end of every module. The journal typically includes the following:
- Initial expectations and reasons for taking the course.
- Module and/or personal learning objectives.
- Description of events, issues and learning points within current personal practice.
- Change in every day practice due to knowledge gained on each module.
- A description of what has been learned during the module.
For this assessment, students will work on a group assignment and/or an individual assignment.
- Group assignments are designed to hone skills in the multidisciplinary, holistic approach to modern treatments and patient management by requiring group participation in a single piece of work.
- Individual assignments are designed to hone skills in academic career progression through such tasks as reviewing papers, developing scientific posters or abstracts, peer-reviewing, social media activities, patient information leaflets, and essays.
- Students are provided with case-based problems in the form of a one-hour timed examination.
- The exam consists of 30 'Single Best Answer' questions.
- Students are required to complete the exam online within the set time.
Course Fees
| Total Course Fees for UK & International Students for March 2020: |
|---|
| £3,900 |
Please Note: These are the fees for a single year.
Application deadline - February 10th 2020
Fee payments may be made via the following options:
| Date | Up-Front Payments | Instalments |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit payable on acceptance† | £650 | £650 |
| 1st May 2020 | £3,250 | £650 |
| 1st July 2020 | £650 | |
| 1st September 2020 | £650 | |
| 1st November 2020 | £650 | |
| 1st January 2021 | £650 |
† Deposits are non-refundable
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