This course is comprised of six 16-week-long online modules, providing advanced learning in the following specialist areas:
-
Anatomy and applied anatomy applicable to regional anaesthesia
-
Neuropharmacy/physiology of perioperative pain medicine
-
Applications of regional anaesthesia
-
Delivering a high quality service in regional anaesthesia
-
Integrated Research 
-
Clinical Leadership and management
Each module is delivered in two-week topics, with learning outcomes mapped to current UK practice. You will also be required to undertake approximately 10 hours of independent study each week, including:
-
Reading core texts and the latest clinical papers
-
Discussing an online clinical case with your peers to draw out learning opportunities and evidence-based practice
-
Completing formative assessments to aid your learning, including multiple choice questions and script concordance tests
-
Constructing a personal management plan for the clinical case to demonstrate your understanding of the topic
-
You will need to demonstrate a minimum of 80% online engagement to receive CPD accreditation for each module.
You will also have the option to take a summative written assessment for each module; complete it successfully and you’ll be awarded 20 university credits. Acquire 60 credits and, in addition to your CPD accreditation, you’ll also be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate. Successfully complete assessments for 6 modules and you’ll acquire 120 credits and receive a Postgraduate Diploma. If you then decide to complete a 60 credit dissertation project, you’ll achieve 180 credits in total, and a Master’s in Principles of Regional Anaesthesia degree.
Option Range A
MODULES COMMENCING IN JANUARY EACH YEAR
Students will select 20-40 credits from the following modules:
ANATOMY AND APPLIED ANATOMY APPLICABLE TO REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA
Code: MED-7073E Credits:20
This anatomy module includes immersive clinical case discussions to develop in-depth knowledge around the anatomical considerations for the regional anaesthetist. Topics include:
1. Awake Shoulder Surgery
2. Elbow Replacement Surgery
3. Complex Dupuytren’s Release
4. Mastectomy
5. Revision Hip Surgery
6. Anterior Cruciate Reconstruction / Complex foot surgery
7. Complicated Patients, Abdominal Operations
8. The Cervical Plexus / Anatomical Variations.
DELIVERING A HIGH QUALITY SERVICE IN REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA
Code: MED-7076E Credits: 20
This module covers Quality, Training, Assessment, Human factors and non-technical skills, Safety and sterility, Risk, consent and contraindications to regional anaesthesia and Enhanced recovery and perioperative medicine.
Option Range B
MODULES COMMENCING IN MAY EACH YEAR
Students will select 20-40 credits from the following modules:
NEUROPHARMACOLOGY, NEUROPHYSIOLOGY AND PERI-OPERATIVE PAIN MEDICINE
Code: MED-7074X Credits: 20
Why do patients undergoing surgery continue to complain of uncontrolled pain despite being prescribed analgesia? Why do different types of surgery or trauma produce different pain complaints? Can we influence outcome with pain relief and what are the risks? Throughout the module you will discover the complexities of the mechanisms underlying preoperative pain. You will gain a better understanding than you ever thought possible of the relevance of the basic science mechanisms underlying pain perception and how this may be influenced by coexisting disease and psychological factors. This will ultimately enable better targeting of appropriate analgesic strategies to your patients. Using problem-based learning you will begin with a detailed exploration of relevant neurophysiology, neuroanatomy and pharmacology; explore how drug and anaesthetic regimes can interact with these systems advantageously and sometimes adversely. We will then introduce the complexities of pre-existing pain states and particular conditions associated with high risk of ongoing term pain. Ultimately the goal is to be able to identify optimal interventional and pharmacological strategies that optimise immediate and long term outcome.
Option Range C
MODULES COMMENCING IN SEPTEMBER EACH YEAR
Students will select 20-40 credits from the following modules:
APPLICATIONS OF REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA
Code: MED-7075D Credits: 20
This module covers Ultrasound principles and needle technology, Peripheral nerve stimulator and landmark techniques, Catheters, Choosing and managing your block, Extremes of age, Centroneuraxis and Modern techniques.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY APPLICABLE TO REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA
Code: MED-7078D Credits: 20
This module covers service evaluation and audit, statistics, research governance and research conduct.
Option Range D
DISSERTATION MODULE - CAN ONLY BE COMMENCED FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF 6 OTHER MODULES.
Students will select 60 credits from the following modules:
RESEARCH DISSERTATION - PRINCIPLES OF REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA
Code: MED-7096X Credits: 60
The aim of the Research Dissertation is to enable students to demonstrate their depth of knowledge developed through the whole programme and to demonstrate insight into the rigorous process of research. The focus of the dissertation is determined within each programme of study and to demonstrate skills in critical appraisal and systematic review, where appropriate. This should give practitioners experience of designing, conducting and reporting research.