MSc Principles of Regional Anaesthesia

Why study

As a student on this course, you’ll take part in fully-online, tutor-mediated discussions, centered around realistic cases, within our VLE. This innovative course is based around six advanced modules, covering all areas of Regional Anaesthesia and a host of relevant transferrable skills. The course is designed to complement your day-to-day clinical practice, so each session is delivered asynchronously, meaning that you won’t need to log-on at set times. For each module you will be expected to actively contribute to the online forum, which will focus on clinical discussions of cases. Each module comprises several topics spanning the knowledge base in that specialist area, each bringing with it new expertise and insights, which will prove directly applicable to your own clinical practice. As such, each forum discussion will take on a life of its own, fueled by the shared reading, personal experience, and tutor guidance.

This modular course has been designed specifically for anaesthetists advancing in the field of Regional Anaesthesia. The course combines in-depth clinical modules with leadership and research to provide a relevant qualification in RA. The course offers excellent credentials to trainees and consultants in this increasingly important anaesthetic specialism.

The immersive interactive format covers all aspects of RA, strengthening clinical knowledge, critical thinking and decision making skills. The course is delivered entirely from within a thriving online learning community of clinical peers and senior e-tutors.

The Masters offers both trainees and consultants based anywhere in the world the opportunity to study for a PG Certificate, PG Diploma or Masters in RA through a rigorous educational programme lead by experts in the field.

The course employs a gold-award winning educational approach underpinning a range of specialist medical and surgical courses offered by the UEA. Our internationally-friendly programme is designed to enhance your consultant level critical thinking through engagement with realistic clinical cases and continual assessment. Modules will provide CPD or, on successful completion, accrue university credits that can build towards an MSc, PGDip or PG Cert.

About

As a student on this course, you’ll take part in fully-online, tutor-mediated discussions, centred around realistic cases, within our VLE. This innovative course is based around six advanced modules, covering all areas of Regional Anaesthesia and a host of relevant transferrable skills. The course is designed to complement your day-to-day clinical practice, so each session is delivered asynchronously, meaning that you won’t need to log-on at set times. For each module you will be expected to actively contribute to the online forum, which will focus on clinical discussions of cases. Each module comprises several topics spanning the knowledge base in that specialist area, each bringing with it new expertise and insights, which will prove directly applicable to your own clinical practice. As such, each forum discussion will take on a life of its own, fuelled by the shared reading, personal experience, and tutor guidance.

Admissions Live Chat

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

Each module is undertaken in isolation without an assessment component, allowing you to gain CPD evidence for your portfolio. However, if you do want to obtain formal university credits to contribute towards a postgraduate qualification, you will need to successfully complete a written assessment for each module. The summative assessment comprises of a written reflective essay-style assessment, which will be submitted and marked online.The research and management modules will require the online submission of a piece of written work, which will be marked according to the UEA postgraduate senate scale, the national scale for higher education marking.

Structure

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

Teaching and Learning

All teaching will take place online, using range of teaching techniques, including peer-group (PBL) discussion and specialist formative testing.

Our e-tutors are all highly experienced senior clinicians working both in the UK and internationally, so you will be able to maximise your exposure to global discussions and comparisons of best practice.

Independent Study

You will complete the course in parallel with your clinical duties in Regional Anaesthesia. We allocate time for background reading and will provide you with access to the UEA online library to facilitate your evidence-based learning.

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Open Days

Modules commence in January, May and September. Students will be permitted to select one or both modules that are available at each start point (January: 7073E and 7076E, May: 7074X and 7077X and September: 7075D and 7078D). Dissertation can only be commenced following successful completion of the preceding 6 modules.

Assessment for Year 1

Compulsory Modules

Optional A Modules

(10 credits)

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

Optional B Modules

(20-40 credits)

DELIVERING A HIGH QUALITY SERVICE IN REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA

Code MED-7076X

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

Optional C Modules

(20-40 credits)

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.

REASEARCH METHODOLOGY APPLICABLE TO REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA

Code MED-7078D

Credits 20

This module covers service evaluation and audit, statistics, research governance and research conduct.

Optional D Modules

(60 credits)

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.

Admissions Live Chat

Open Days

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.

MSc PRINCIPLES OF REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA