ObjectivesThe aims of the course are to enable professionals from a wide range of backgrounds to develop the skills and knowledge to become leaders in primary care education, provision and policy making.
Entry requirementsNormally at least a seoncd-class honours degree is required plus a minimum of two years' professional experience in a related area. The nursing routes require candidates to be on the appropriate part of the NMC register.
Academic titlePrimary Care MSc/PG Diploma
Course descriptionCourse overview
This modular, route-based course is run jointly with the Institute of Community Health Sciences of Barts and the London at Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry.
The available routes are:
* Primary Care (generic)
* Community Based Education
* Long Term Conditions
* Nurse Practitioner
* Specialist Practice in Primary Care Nursing (District Nursing).
The course will enable students to:
* Demonstrate an ability to critically analyse the philosophy, politics and history of primary care
* Critically evaluate the relationship between primary and secondary care
* Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to provide or oversee education and CPD in primary care.
In addition, students will demonstrate an advanced level of research and evaluative skills through the programme of sustained enquiry into an aspect of primary care policy or practice.
Course content
Two core modules are shared by all routes: research methods (introductory module) and philosophy and politics of primary health care. There are then core modules for each route and these include:
* health promotion
* long term conditions
* clinical effectiveness
* managing change
* chronic disease management
* commissioning
* physical assessment 1 and 2
* educational support skills
* appraisal, assessment and performance.
Some nursing routes require portfolio-based modules such as practice-based modules or clinical practice.
Applicants should allow 120 hours per module for private study as well as time to attend lectures. Students who successfully complete eight modules in the two years will achieve a Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care and those who also successfully complete a disseratation (accredited as four modules) will be awarded the MSc.
Teaching and assessment
Assessment will vary per module and may involve:
* writing an essay
* a policy paper or an article suitable for submission for peer review publication
* an oral presentation of a piece of work
* completing a reflective learning diary, or
* completing a grant proposal form.
Many or all the projects undertaken by students on this MSc will be closely related to their daily work.