Advancing Professional Practice
30 Credits
This module aims to facilitate the development of qualified healthcare professionals' knowledge, skills and attributes in line with the National Health Services' four pillars of advanced practice to facilitate their professional and career development.
Opportunities will be provided to develop students' knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles and concepts of professional development. Students will critically analyse and evaluate their personal learning and professional development to identify their strengths and areas for development with regard to professional practice and their own development needs. Through this process of critical reflection, students will analyse and evaluate professional development in national and international contexts and in relation to others such as peers, service users, carers, colleagues and service providers.
Advanced Research Methods (physiotherapy focus)
30 Credits
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.
Masters Dissertation (physiotherapy focus)
60 Credits
The Dissertation module is a key element of the postgraduate suite of post-registration programmes. Its purpose is to enable Masters level students to develop the ability to collect, evaluate and disseminate knowledge relevant to their area of professional practice. It will provide students with an opportunity to engage in a focused piece of research and enhance their knowledge and skills in the following: identifying gaps in the evidence generating research questions and hypotheses selecting, reviewing and summarizing relevant literature applying appropriate methods, including data collection and analysis judging evidence interpreting and discussing findings as well as thinking and writing critically, coherently and academically.
Elective Modules (60 credits to be taken)
Elective modules are subject to availability
Advanced Leadership for Health and Social Care Practitioners
30 Credits
This core module aims to provide experienced learners with opportunities to develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of contemporary leadership in the context of an evolving health, social care and educational landscape. Drawing upon learners' existing knowledge base and experience of leadership, the concepts, theories and issues introduced during this module are intended to stimulate critical thinking, creativity and debate. Students will be expected to interpret the key principles of advanced leadership at professional, organisational and strategic levels.
Principles of Practice in Medical Ultrasound
30 Credits
This core module combines two distinct strands of ultrasound practice and is weighted equally: 50% of the module addresses the science and technology supporting ultrasound practice and 50% addresses ultrasound professional issues.
A sound foundation in science and instrumentation technology is of fundamental importance and underpins the ultrasound programme. This module will provide an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the physical principles of ultrasound required to perform examinations in a safe and competent manner.
The module is designed to actively promote the application of these principles to the available instrumentation, enabling the student to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of image appraisal and optimisation. The role of quality control and performance checks and recent technological innovations will also form an integral part of the content of this module.
Ultrasound practitioners are legally accountable for their professional actions and this module provides in-depth knowledge and understanding of the clinical governance and professional principles that relate to medical ultrasound practice.
Work-Based Advanced Skills and Innovative Practices
15/30 Credits
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 workplace, 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.
Supporting Anticipatory Care for Long Term Conditions Management
15 Credits
This theory-based module aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the topic area by exploring and evaluating contemporary themes associated with Anticipatory Care for Long Term Conditions. From a bio-psychosocial perspective, students will critically explore the causes and effects of living with a Long Term Condition and the role of healthcare professionals/practitioners in contributing to and leading care delivery/service development. Consequently, students will have the opportunity to evaluate current strategies and frameworks associated with the assessment, planning and implementation of care.
Advanced Assessment and Management of Illness and Injury
30 Credits
Within the context of planned and unplanned care delivery, the advanced assessment and management of patients has become a requirement for Advanced Practitioners. Consequently, this module aims to enable practitioners, to develop the requisite knowledge and advanced clinical and leadership skills to assess, diagnose, manage and where necessary, appropriately refer-on patients.
This module covers key themes which include the political, legal and ethical issues that underpin professional development advanced clinical assessment, clinical decision making and management.
Prescribing for Healthcare Professionals
30 Credits
The aim of this module is to enhance care by preparing Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives and Allied Health Professionals (Physiotherapists, Chiropodists/Podiatrists, Paramedics, Therapeutic Radiographers) as Independent/Supplementary Prescribers and Diagnostic Radiographers and Dieticians as Supplementary Prescribers using the British National Formulary. The module incorporates both theoretical principles and a period of supervised practice to ensure prescribing competence.
Social Action Approaches in Public Health
15 Credits
Guided by the Social Determinants approach to health, this module aims to encourage and enable students to enhance their knowledge and understanding of how community development approaches aim to support communities to address health inequalities. In addition it will provide students with the skills to be able to critically analyse and evaluate the relationship between public health theory and its application to social action.
Applied Pathophysiology for Advancing Professional Practice
15 Credits
This module will extend the underpinning pathophysiological knowledge required by individuals wishing to advance their practice. It adopts a systems approach utilising:
1. General physiological principles
2. The physiology and pathophysiology of selected body systems including those of direct relevance to the student's sphere of practice
3. Current approaches to treatment of important pathophysiological conditions, e.g. cardiac failure, diabetes
4. Discussion of treatment options including those currently under development.
Foundations of Radiographic Image Interpretation
30 Credits
The content of the Foundations of Radiographic Image Interpretation (Axial and Appendicular Skeleton) module has been identified and developed to provide the framework on which the development of radiographic image interpretation and reporting skills can be based. The module has been designed to be interactive between the students and the teaching team.
The module is designed to: produce a reflective practitioner with the ability to critically analyse the pathological appearances on radiographic images of the axial and appendicular skeleton.
{a practitioner who is able to recognise through reflection and critical appraisal the need to continually develop their competence within their scope of practice.
The aim of this module is to support the development of the advanced practice reporting practitioner with regard to their radiographic image interpretation skills. The aim is also to encourage the health care professional adopt an analytical and critical approach to independent and life-long learning.
Challenges in Contemporary Global Healthcare
15 Credits
Infection Prevention and Control in a Global Context
15 Credits
This module is designed for practitioners who wish to develop their knowledge and understanding of the issues involved in infection prevention and management in healthcare. Students will be encouraged to engage with underpinning knowledge from the disciplines of epidemiology, microbiology, infection prevention, health protection and public health. Students will explore the contemporary issues, current successes and need for action at local, national and global levels to prevent, treat and control infections worldwide.
Advancing Musculoskeletal Practice
30 Credits
This module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of function and dysfunction of the neuromusculoskeletal system within the vertebral spine and lumbopelvic region. The structural, physiological and psychosocial impact of dysfunction will be explored with particular consideration to pain mechanisms in acute and chronic presentations in a range of groups and individuals. A variety of physiotherapeutic approaches to assessment and management for dysfunction of the neuromusculoskeletal system within the vertebral spine and lumbopelvic region will be considered with critique of their theoretical and evidence-based underpinning.
Students will actively participate in their own learning on this module through independent study prior to tutorials and practical classes where clinical case studies will be used to guide discussion, clinical reasoning and practical application of evidence-based assessment, treatment and management of neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction within the vertebral spine and lumbopelvic region.
Psychologically Informed Practice
30 Credits
This module aims to develop a deeper, more critical understanding of the role of a range of psychologically informed strategies that support the self-management of people with complex physical and psychosocial health needs, multi-morbidities or long-term conditions. Students will develop the required knowledge, skills and attributes to become psychologically informed practitioners who are equipped to manage increasingly complex client needs and provide holistic, person-centred care.
This module will enable students to deliver collaborative, evidence-based practice, using psychosocial interventions, to promote optimal levels of mental wellbeing and participation in clients with co-morbid common mental health problems. Students will consolidate and integrate their clinical reasoning and critical reflection skills.
Neurorehabilitation
30 Credits
The Neurorehabilitation module will provide students with the knowledge, understanding, and practical skills which are required to enable them to function as effective practitioners with regards to pathophysiology, assessment, therapeutic treatment and general management of people with acute and long-term neurological conditions. It involves the study of the pathology, clinical features, assessment and physiotherapy management of common conditions of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The module will develop students' ability to deliver personalised care across the lifespan in a variety of practice settings taking into consideration to communication and cognitive impairments and psycho-social factors.
Human Movement and MSK Rehabilitation
30 Credits
The aim of the module is to enable the student to evaluate and apply current concepts in biomechanics and human movement in the assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions. Opportunity will be given to assess the theories of clinical biomechanics and their application to human movement in a variety of conditions such as sport, the workplace, paediatrics, elderly and also long-term conditions. Working with clinical assessment tools to enhance clinical assessments and to inform clinical practice and rehabilitation.
Clinical Investigations
30 Credits
This module aims to enable the student to evaluate the application of and make informed judgements on the analysis and interpretation of a range of diagnostic investigation techniques in the management of foot and lower limb pathology and with reference to podiatric surgery.
Formative activities to prepare students for the module assessment include case studies at weeks 3, 6 and 9 which are self and optional peer assessments.
Surgical Management of the Foot
15 Credits
This module aims to enable the students to appraise in detail different surgical approaches to the foot taking into consideration patient consent, clinical decision making and anatomical considerations.
Formative activities to prepare students for the module assessment include Peer reviewed critical appraisal of a single paper and discussion groups
Developing Advanced Practice
30 Credits
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 workplace, for the workplace, 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.
