Course description
This award offers healthcare professionals the opportunity to expand their knowledge, skills and expertise in the conduct of clinical research.
The course has been designed to develop the participant’s knowledge of legal, ethical, managerial, economic and methodological issues that are relevant to research initiatives, healthcare and drug development. The graduate will receive comprehensive education in all aspects of research, including research methods, statistical analysis, economic evaluation and legal and ethical issues.
Although this course has been designed to train healthcare professionals as site personnel in the conduct of clinical therapeutic trials, the breadth of knowledge and professional skills will enable the participant to undertake their own research using qualitative and quantitative methods.
Course Content
* Research Methods and Clinical Research
* Legal and Ethical Aspects of Research
* Health Economics
* Contemporary Issues in Research
* Information Technology
* Research Dissertation
How To Study
The wealth of knowledge the student brings to the course will be recognised and used to inform class discussion and problem-based learning. A variety of media and teaching and learning strategies will be utilised, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, debates and role-play of disciplinary hearings. Each student will be assigned a personal tutor.
Formative assessments will be relevant to the student’s clinical practice, including critical evaluation of their current research activities/protocols, exploration of local trust/organisational policies, as well as research and development strategies, legal issues and ethical procedures. There will be a written summative assessment for each course module. The research dissertation will focus on a relevant clinical issue within the student’s sphere of practice. During the first year, students will submit a research proposal as their summative assessment for the Research Methods and Clinical Research module.
Career prospects
Graduates will be able to progress their career in the pharmaceutical industry, academia, NHS trusts, research support or audit.
