ObjectivesThis Master’s programme, delivered jointly by the Universities of Stirling and Dundee has been designed by National Health Service (NHS) professionals and experienced academics to train people to deliver psychological therapies for common mental health disorders in adults in Primary Care. Whilst there may be some regional variation in day-to-day activities of trainees, they will all fall within the above description. The overall aim of the MSc is to extend the knowledge of the theoretical foundations of human behaviour and psychological disorders to develop the necessary skills to apply a range of psychological therapies to treat common mental health disorders in adults in a Primary Care setting whilst undergoing training and clinical supervision. The programme will develop your knowledge of the prevalence, diagnostic criteria, presentation and current psychological theories of common mental health disorders. Cognitive-Behavioural models will be a core framework but other theoretical models will be introduced.
Entry requirementsEntrance Requirements Applicants should hold an Honours degree in Psychology (normally upper second class or above) conferring the Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society. Applicants must also be eligible for, and have appropriate personal qualities suited to, employment in the NHS. Recruitment will be jointly undertaken by representative senior academic and NHS staff.
Academic titlePsychological Therapy in Primary Care (MSc)
Course descriptionStructure and Content
The programme comprises five taught modules and a sixth research module. The first three modules are University of Dundee supervised and are completed in the first half of the year, while the second three are University of Stirling supervised and completed in the second half of the year. All modules are core and there are no optional modules:
Assessment, Diagnosis and Formulation: This module provides an overview of the assessment process and aims to enable you to conduct clinical assessment and formulation of common mental health disorders in Primary Care.
Professional and Ethical Issues: This module aims to develop understanding of the principles and practice of appropriate professional conduct in the NHS.
Research Project: A supervised empirical investigation, including critical literature review, conducted and reported to publishable standard.
Principles and Methods of Psychological Therapy: This module aims to help you develop and maintain collaborative working alliances and deliver a range of psychological interventions appropriate to common mental health disorders. Common Mental Health Disorders in Primary Care: This module develops understanding of use of theoretical and clinical knowledge of the presentation and evidence-based treatment interventions for common mental health disorders.
Research, Evaluation and Outcome: This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to conduct clinical research.
You are allocated an NHS clinical supervisor who oversees and provides guidance on your clinical activity, as well as an NHS tutor who oversees academic progress. You are also allocated an academic supervisor (who reviews clinical performance) and a research supervisor. NHS employers provide appropriate study facilities including computers and internet connection to allow you to carry out academic work on-site. In 2005 there were 26 posts, in 2006 there were 27, in 2007 there were 18 and it is likely that the number will be around 22 for 2008.
Delivery and Assessment
Modules will be taught via a combination of clinical workshops, seminars and distance learning lectures delivered via the internet. Clinical activities and delivery of therapeutic interventions will be supervised and guided by an NHS clinical supervisor in the NHS setting who will provide guidance on all aspects of clinical competence according to agreed guidelines. Ratings of clinical competence will be based on taped evidence of practice in the NHS setting.
The programme will comprise 50 percent academic study and 50 percent practical clinical placement work. Assessment will be by case reports based on NHS clinical work, examinations and a dissertation. In addition, a necessary component for the successful completion of the first three modules listed above is the receipt of a satisfactory assessment of clinical competence from your NHS clinical supervisor. An NHS site visit by academic staff will be made six months and nine months into the programme. At these points unsatisfactory clinical competence will be highlighted and a programme of remedial action provided that must be undertaken successfully by the end of the modules.
Application Packs
The Universities of Dundee and Stirling, jointly with the NHS, will place advertisements in printed media in August. Application packs containing application forms to the universities and the NHS plus additional information will be obtained by responding to one of the advertisements or by contacting Jen Petrie at the address given (above) between Friday 3 August and Thursday 23 August. The closing date for all applications is Friday 24 August.
Career Opportunities
The programme is designed to enable graduates to work as Primary Care Psychologists* in the NHS, under the supervision of a Chartered Clinical Psychologist. Discussions are currently underway with the British Psychological Society and the Health Professions Council to explore issues of regulation and accreditation of the training and the newly created grade of mental health worker in the Scottish National Health service for which this training is devised.
* Whether this will ultimately be the accepted title depends upon a range of professional guidelines and recommendations currently under consideration.