Health-Professions Education

Overview of the syllabus

Course 1. The principles of Health-professions Education.

Evidence in Medical Education

Finding, using and writing about the nature of evidence that defines medical education. More specifically, the principles and skills associated with locating sources of evidence; using data bases, conducting a literature review, analysis and presenting the evidence will be considered,

Teaching and Learning
 
The focus is upon the pedagogic issues about teaching and learning associated with health-professions education.  Some consideration will be given to practical skills.

Assessment, examinations and standard setting

The nature and manner of ssessment and examining, including standard setting, in the undergraduate and postgraduate phases.

The Curriculum
          
Curriculum planning, implementation and development, particularly with respect to the nature, structure and functions of undergraduate and postgraduate clinical curricula. 

Course 2. Evidence, policy and governance

The Principles of Research in Health-professions Education

Issues relating to the principles of research methodology sufficient to enable the student to prepare and complete the dissertation required for the master’s award.

The roles and attributes of individuals

The focus will be on the individual and professional development aspects of education, including the educational and psychological elements of a student’s professional and personal development. 

Vision and Governance

Each one of us is caught up in the dynamics of educational management.  There is a constant interaction between policy, leadership, management, evaluation and allocation of resources.  Education management is a professional role that requires the execution of particular professional attributes.

Leadership theory and its application in education.

Theories relating to Traits, behaviours, groups and teams, and professional leadership in the clinical situation.

Special topics in Health-professions Education
 
"Special topics" will focus on trends or recent developments, for example, “Student selection”, “the Foundation Programme”, or “National Licence Examinations”, or issues of international significance, for example, the “WFME Accreditation of Medical Schools”, or “Use of Simulated Patients”. There will be an opportunity for students to put forward topics that they feel are relevant to their professional interests.

Course 3. The Dissertation

A 15000 word dissertation on a topic agreed with the Programme Director, but related to an area of the syllabus.The purpose of the dissertation is to demonstrate the ability to apply a methodology approach in gathering evidence sufficient to explore a question. Therefore an account of the methodology and processes used is as important as the area chosen for the study.

All students must complete Courses 1 - 3 to the satisfaction of the Board of Examiners before progressing to Course 4

Course 4. The Professional Doctorate

A Thesis of about 50,000 words should be submitted. It should describe an original investigation and explore more than one methodology.  (please refer to the separate link, for more details).