Programme Specification (Postgraduate) Date amended: September 2014

Transcription

1 Programme Specification (Postgraduate) Date amended: September Programme Title(s): MSc/PGDip/PGCert Clinical Sciences (Mountain Medicine) 2. Awarding body or institution: University of Leicester 3. a) Mode of study Part time b) Type of study Distance Learning 4. Registration periods: Award Normal period of registration Maximum period of registration Postgraduate Certificate 24 months 48 months (60 credits) Postgraduate Diploma 36 months (incl. 12 months for 48 months (120 credits) remaining taught modules following PGCert) MSc (180 credits) 48 months (incl. 12 months for dissertation) 60 months 5. Typical entry requirements: Participants should normally be registered medical practitioners. Applications will also be considered from fully qualified UK state registered paramedical staff and from final year medical students who will complete the course after they are fully registered. These applicants would normally hold a first degree or provide evidence of the ability to study at master's level. A certain degree of mountain and climbing technical ability is required and will be assessed on the course. Further information on the level of skill required is given in appendix Accreditation of Prior Learning: Consideration for exemption from MD7208 Research Methods Module (15 credits) will be given to those who can demonstrate prior learning at an appropriate level covering the outcomes of the research methods module. Normally the prior learning must have been achieved within the last five years. Normally this will be by submission of a portfolio of work, including a narrative of prior experience and qualifications (See Research Module Exemption document). Consideration for exemption from mountaineering parts of the course is only offered to candidates holding full UIAGM Guide qualifications or UK National Board qualifications at the appropriate level. In these cases they must submit their logbook to the UIAGM Guide in charge of assessment for consideration. (See Course Exemptions on Mountain qualifications and experience ). 7. Programme aims: The programme aims to give registered medical practitioners the theoretical and practical knowledge to manage the specific illnesses and diseases that may occur in the mountain environment. This will include an understanding of the physiological changes associated with exercise and with living at altitude; an appreciation of the mountain environment, and the environmental factors that may lead to illness or injury; aspects of travel medicine that are important to mountain travel; proficiency in the practical skills of survival and mountain rescue; training in the management of altitude related

2 disease and in the specific problems of managing illnesses and injuries that occur during a journey to the mountain environment. 8. Reference points used to inform the programme specification: The Programme follows the required syllabus for accreditation by the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) Medical Commission, the International Society of Mountain Medicine (ISMM) and the International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR). Programme approval for this course has been granted by UIAA-MEDCOM for the period to 2012 to The following documents have been used to provide benchmarking and inform the content and standard of the programme: University of Leicester Learning and Teaching Strategy (Jan 2011) The framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland FHEQ. 2nd Edition (August 2008) QAA. Guidelines for preparing programme specifications (2006) The Programme conforms to the University of Leicester Learning and Teaching Strategy, particularly in those outcomes relating to international recognition and reputational enhancement, and to internationalisation. 9. Programme Outcomes: Intended Learning Outcomes Manage the specific illnesses and diseases that are likely to occur in the mountain environment: Teaching and Learning Methods (a) Subject and Professional skills Knowledge Series of lectures and small group tutorials to cover core knowledge and introduce key concepts. How Demonstrated? Short answer assessments Explain the physiological changes that occur on travelling to altitude: Explain the physiological changes associated with exercise at altitude and contrast these with the effects of exercise at sea level: Summarise the environmental factors that may lead to illness or injury in the mountain: Explain the pathogenesis and management of injuries that occur during a journey to the mountain environment. Be able to give advice and manage aspects of travel medicine that are important to mountain travel: Extensive field work to support the integration of knowledge into practical scenarios, encouraging students to plan interventions based on an understanding of the appropriate pathophysiology Distance learning, Experiential learning / practice based reflection Performance during structured scenario and role play.

3 Intended Learning Outcomes Be proficient in the practical skills of survival and mountain rescue: Apply information to new clinical settings Able to present clinical cases in a succinct and lucid manner Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of altitude related reference sources and be able to use them in the appropriate assignments. Able to critically appraise current research literature relating to Mountain Medicine. Demonstrate understanding of literature, including critical appraisal and use of simple statistical and research methods Able to present clinical cases in a succinct and lucid manner Utilise Information technology to support remote diagnosis, collate information to support management and to promote CPD in mountain medicine Manage clinical scenarios remotely and in the field Work in a team with varying backgrounds and experience. Demonstrate reflective and selfappraisal skills Undertake life-long learning particularly for continuing professional development Teaching and Learning Methods Concepts Techniques Field work, practical scenarios and role playing scenarios Critical analysis Lectures and directed reading Presentation Lectures and directed reading Appraisal of evidence Lectures and directed reading, research methods module (b) Transferable skills Research skills Lectures and directed reading, research methods module Communication skills Data presentation Lectures and directed reading Information technology Lectures and directed reading. Practical skills classes Problem solving Scenarios and role playing Working relationships Small group scenarios Managing learning Professional example from Faculty, scenarios and role play Career management Professional example from Faculty How Demonstrated? projects. log book and portfolio. projects. log book and portfolio. projects. log book and portfolio. Research module assessment(pgdip and MSc) Dissertation (MSc) projects. log book and portfolio projects. log book and portfolio; Team working is assessed through the group interaction and reflective pieces/course log book Through completion of reflective projects and course log book Through completion of course log book

4 10. Special features: The course will be taught over four periods of student contact, with allotted time for personal study. The student contact will consist of approximately six days teaching at the start of the course (MD7201 Theory 1, up to now held at the National Mountain Centre, Plas Y Brenin);six days in Scotland (MD7202 Mountain Skills Course);six days on the MD7203 Theory 2 Course (again held up to now at the National Mountain Centre); and one week in the European Alps (MD7204 Alpine Skills Course ).Each course offers a mix of theory and practical skills instruction. Strong emphasis is placed on the application of knowledge gained to clinical scenarios and problem solving. The course is administered by Medical Expeditions, a registered charity which aims to improve awareness and management of altitude related illness ( Students who successfully complete the modules associated with Certificate and meet the UIAA s own award criteria may be eligible for UIAA-MEDCOM accreditation. 11. Indications of programme quality: The course has been running successfully since 2002, and is the only UK based UIAA accredited course in mountain medicine. The number of applicants is high and the course has always attracted applicants from Europe and overseas. UIAA accredited courses have recently started in Norway, America, Canada and Japan - These courses have all been directed by people who did the UK Diploma first. The UK course has a high reputation in mountaineering and mountain rescue organisations. Successful candidates have participated in a number of altitude related projects, including working at Everest base camp and in Himalayan Rescue Association aid posts, undertaking large scale research projects, and setting up important services for patients, such as the Frostbite Advisory Service, set up by Diploma holders. 12. Scheme of Assessment As defined in Senate Regulation Progression points Students commence with the module MD7201 Theory 1 (held end November/early December) and must complete the associated written assessment within the defined period (normally six weeks). The first assessment must be completed before attending a subsequent module. MD7202 Mountain Skills and MD7203 Theory 2 may be taken in either order consistent with completion within the normal registration period. The final taught module for the Postgraduate Certificate is normally MD7204 Alpine skills. Students may not progress to this unless all prior taught modules and assessments have been completed to a satisfactory standard, barring exceptional circumstances, and with the agreement of the module leaders. Students registered for the Postgraduate Diploma or master s degree may commence the reflective learning and research methods modules at anytime during their studies, following completion of the first taught module and associated written assessment. Students registered on the MSc will be permitted to proceed to the dissertation in accordance with the progression requirements defined in Senate Regulation 6. In cases where a student has failed to meet a requirement to progress he or she will be required to withdraw from the course and a recommendation will be made to the Board of Examiners for an intermediate award where appropriate. 14. Rules relating to re-sits or re-submissions: As defined in Senate Regulation 6

5 Students may re-sit examinations or re-submit course work in relation to an individual module on one occasion only. The number of modules where re-sits or re-submissions are allowed is at the discretion of the examination board in accordance with the re-assessment regulations in Senate Regulation 6. The mark obtained for resubmitted work or a re-sit is capped at 50%. Students who do not reach the required standard for practical skills will be given specific advice regarding a programme of remedial study by the UIAGM Guide in charge of assessment, and will be allowed to re-submit themselves for reassessment to the Guide or nominated deputy. Re-assessment of practical skills will be permitted on one occasion only. 15. Additional information [e.g. timetable for admissions] The modules associated with the Postgraduate Certificate will be taught over four periods of student contact, with allotted time for personal study*. Students may register for the course up to two weeks before the start of the first module. The student contact will consist of: MD7201: MD7202: MD7203: MD7204: Theory One Mountaineering Skills Theory Two Alpine Skills *Personal study between modules includes active days out in the hills as well as using the provided reading list, which will contain both core and additional texts. Students will be assigned a mentor during the first taught session for personal academic support. Appendix 1: Programme structure (programme regulations) Module Code Module Title Credit Value MD7201 Mountain Medicine: Theory 1 15 MD7202 Mountaineering Skills 15 MD7203 Mountain Medicine: Theory 2 15 MD7204 Alpine Skills 15 MD7205 Mountain Medicine: Reflective Piece 1 15 MD7206 Mountain Medicine: Reflective Piece 2 15 MD7207 Mountain Medicine: Reflective Piece 3 15 MD7208 Mountain Medicine: Research Methods 15 MD7209 Mountain Medicine: Dissertation 60 The Postgraduate Certificate course will consist of four taught modules (MD7201-MD7204). Successful completion of all four modules and associated assessments (60 credits) will lead to the award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Mountain Medicine from the University of Leicester. Students who successfully complete the modules associated with the Postgraduate Certificate and meet the UIAA s own award criteria may be eligible for UIAA-MEDCOM accreditation. In addition to the modules required for the Postgraduate Certificate, candidates may also elect to undertake a research methods module (on line; 15 credits) and submit three pieces of guided reflective work (15 credits each), which may lead to a Postgraduate Diploma Mountain Medicine from the University. (MD7201-MD7208; 120 credits total) In addition to the modules required for the Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma candidates may also elect to study for a Masters qualification by submitting a dissertation (60 credits, total 180 credits) Students may only be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma or the master s degree. No student may be awarded more than one of these qualifications.

6 Appendix 2: Module Specifications See