By choosing to follow this pathway and personalise your learning, you gain an enhanced knowledge that benefits you specifically and you will feel that benefit throughout your career.
Advanced Research Methods
This module is designed chiefly to direct learning and facilitate independent study in order to develop students' knowledge of the evaluation of empirical literature, research design and data interpretation, relating to the student's field. The module will provide further knowledge on the critical appraisal of evidence from published literature, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, structured literature reviewing, ethics, data collection and analysis. The intention is for students to be able to discriminate between different research methodologies suitable to answer specific pertinent practice-based questions.
Dissertation
Diabetes Care a multiprofessional approach
This module will give a broad overview of and introduction to the various types of Diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, Gestational Diabetes, Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults and Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young).
The students will review their understanding of the physiology of glucose balance in health and disease. They will discuss the nature, aetiology and epidemiology of diabetes and the role of the Health Care Professional, both in management of the disease and in counselling of the patient.
An outline will be given of the pathophysiology of diabetes - both macrovascular and microvascular.
Students will develop an understanding of the methods used for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes and the drug therapies currently available and in development.
Discussions of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) will allow the student to reflect on this growing area of patient self-medication and to consider the dangers and potential uses of CAM.
Aspects of diet and lifestyle modification will be considered in a culturally competent setting as will the fundamentals of dealing with potential emergencies.
Obesity as a driver of diabetes will be examined.
Important specialist areas of the care and management of diabetes will be discussed such as diabetes and reproduction and diabetes and depression.
The organisation and delivery of health care services will be considered, particularly in terms of the need for a multi-professional approach to the management of diabetes.
Throughout the module, students will consider the scientific basis of diabetes research past, present and future.
Pathophysiology and Chronic Complications of Diabetes
This module will extend the student's knowledge of normal physiology relevant to all types of diabetes.
This module will provide an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the macrovascular complications and selected microvascular complications of this disease along with the scientific basis for diagnosis, the genetic basis of the disease, acute diabetic emergencies and the pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of diabetes.
Chronic complications of diabetes will be critically evaluated, in particular eye disease, wound healing, infection and depression.
Treatment and support for these complications will be discussed.
The Lower Limb and Foot in Diabetes – Evaluation of Risk
Evaluation of the evidence base around epidemiology, aetiology and pathophysiological processes that lead to the development and progression of long-term complications of the lower limb and foot in diabetes. Basic anatomy and comprehensive assessment techniques of the vascular and neurological systems as well as structural and functional changes of the lower limb and foot. Skin pigmentation and tone, ethnicity and healthcare inequalities for conditions and healthcare provision. Interpretation of assessments for the allocation of a patient-specific lower limb risk stratification. Multi-disciplinary diabetes foot care models and the role of the healthcare professional. Evaluation of national and international healthcare practices and guidance globally. Psychosocial aspect of diabetes, health promotion and self-management stratagems.
Nutrition and Lifestyle Management of Diabetes
This module aims to develop and extend students' knowledge of dietary and lifestyle aspects of management of diabetes. Students will develop skills in dietary assessment and modification of patients' diets and lifestyles including obesity management. Practical application of the nutritional guidelines for people with diabetes will be explored. The aim is to enable students to be able to counsel patients effectively as regards their diet and lifestyle, in order to optimise glycaemic control, minimise complications of diabetes and optimise quality of life. The role of Structured Patient Education will be explored along with appropriate methods of delivery of care in various settings.
Work-based advanced skills and innovative practices 1
This module is work based and aims to support the student as they acknowledge challenges in their current practice. It permits students to advance an area of their professional practice or to study a specialised area of practice. The module aims to enable and enhance a student's vision, specialist skills and creative problem solving abilities or to develop skills or strategies that aim to push boundaries and pioneer change in practice. The development of specialist and innovative areas of practice are expected to address selective training and development needs of the service and influence the implementation of improved and effective practice with patients, service users and carers. The content of the module will be determined by the students' own specific learning requirements and possibly the needs of their organisation. The module promotes a flexible approach to continuous professional development. Learning will be predominantly work based (in the work place, for the workplace and from colleagues and peers) which will require students to be largely self-directed and able to identify their own support needs. A (tripartite) learning contract and plan will be compiled by the student in collaboration, if appropriate, with their employer or academic supervisor / mentor and the module leader. The negotiated learning contract and plan will be critically evaluated in relation to its learning outcomes, the teaching and learning strategies and assessment methods. This approach will enable students wishing to attain achievement of competency to practice in their defined area, to identify and agree appropriate learning outcomes and assessment criteria to meet professional practice requirements.
An optional module from the Advanced Practice suite
It is possible to undertake Diabetes Care: A Multi-Professional Approach, as a stand-alone CPD certificate; Post Experience Certificate, and gain credits towards a future masters-level degree.
This module will give a broad overview of and introduction to the various types of Diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, Gestational Diabetes, Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults and Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young).
The students will review their understanding of the physiology of glucose balance in health and disease. They will discuss the nature, aetiology and epidemiology of diabetes and the role of the Health Care Professional, both in management of the disease and in counselling of the patient.
An outline will be given of the pathophysiology of diabetes - both macrovascular and microvascular.
Students will develop an understanding of the methods used for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes and the drug therapies currently available and in development.
Discussions of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) will allow the student to reflect on this growing area of patient self-medication and to consider the dangers and potential uses of CAM.
Aspects of diet and lifestyle modification will be considered in a culturally competent setting as will the fundamentals of dealing with potential emergencies.
Obesity as a driver of diabetes will be examined.
Important specialist areas of the care and management of diabetes will be discussed such as diabetes and reproduction and diabetes and depression.
The organisation and delivery of health care services will be considered, particularly in terms of the need for a multi-professional approach to the management of diabetes.
Throughout the module, students will consider the scientific basis of diabetes research past, present and future.
Recognition of Prior Learning through experiential or accredited learning can also contribute to gaining this award.
