Entry requirementsThe course is aimed at both medical practitioners and non-medical entrants. Specialist registrars and staff grades will normally require 3 years post-qualification relevant clinical experience. Non-medical entrants must have a first or second class honours degree and/or other professional qualification acceptable to the University together with at least 3 years’ clinical experience in their own discipline.
Academic titleMA, Postgraduate Diploma Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology
Course descriptionPart-Time study
Introduction
This course has been designed specifically to meet the needs of doctors and other allied health professionals who wish to become experts in the health of older people. The focus is to develop a critical awareness of the health needs of older people, the way services are developed and delivered as well as the present state of knowledge about the management of disease in later life. The tutorial staff comprises geriatricians and other practitioners, academics from other relevant Schools at Keele and outside experts.
The Geriatric Medicine Group forms part of the Institute of Ageing within the Institute for Life Course Studies. The group’s research focuses on stroke, dementia and other diseases of later life, as well as the social construction of ageing from a critical perspective.
Course Structure and Content
This is a modular part-time programme, designed to meet the needs of full- time health professionals, able to take study leave in short blocks of five days. Regional training committees recommend the course to specialist trainees because of the breadth of subjects studied and the combination of taught components and a dissertation. The modules are offered on a regular basis throughout the year, repeated annually, with students joining the programme at the beginning of the academic year. It is possible to complete the MSc in Geriatric Medicine in two years, although up to five years are allowed.
The course consists of seven modules, four of which are shared with students on the MA in Gerontology offered by the School of Criminology, Education, Sociology and Social Work. Moreover, students on the European Masters in Gerontology also take part in one of these modules.
This emphasis on interdisciplinary learning mirrors the growing awareness of the importance of interdisciplinary in health and social care at practice, policy and strategy levels.
Course Modules
Year One
• Introduction to Gerontology (20 credits)
• Policies and Practices for an Ageing Population (20 credits)
• Clinical Geriatric Medicine 1 (20 credits)
• Research Skills (20 credits)
Year Two
• Critical Perspectives in Health (20 credits)
• Clinical Geriatric Medicine 2 (20 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)
Each module has a designated leader assisted by course lecturers, drawing on the teaching and research expertise of staff within
Postgraduate Medicine and in the Centre for Social Gerontology and Institute of Ageing.
Assessment
Assessment is designed to demonstrate a balance between an understanding of theoretical approaches and their application to the practical situations likely to be encountered in the normal work environment. Evaluation of progress is by continuous assessment, although the methods used will vary between modules and will include a written assignment, a written research proposal, a written report and a clinical audit. The research-based dissertation is for a maximum of 20,000 words. The pass mark for all modules, including the dissertation, is 50%.
Funding
Most students are self-funded though in some cases employers may be prepared to make a contribution to fees. Doctors are eligible to apply for study leave.