PGDIP POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PRINCIPLES OF ONCO-AESTHETIC BREAST SURGERY

Code: MED-7067E Credits: 20

This module will provide participants with comprehensive knowledge in all aspects of breast reduction surgery in female and male patients, including initial patient assessment, choice of surgical approach, essential elements of informed consent, management of post-operative complications including medico-legal issues. Clinical case discussions will cover auto-augmentation, augmentation mastopexy and massive weight loss surgery. Topics will be discussed in depth on-line, analysing the most up-to-date evidence and identifying models of best practice. Participants will develop their decision-making and critical thinking skills, and can compare their learning to expert opinions in the field.

Code: MED-7061E Credits: 20

This module covers Benign Breast Disease and Mastalgia, Family History and Imaging, Congenital and Acquired Breast Anomalies, Nipple Discharge and Breast Infection, Screening and QA Process, Patient Declining Treatment / B3 Lesions and the Lymphatic System

Code: MED-7064E Credits: 20

This module covers: Principles of Implant Selection Implant / ADM Immediate and Delayed Reconstruction LD Reconstruction TRAM / DIEP Reconstruction Other Free Flap Reconstruction Options and LN Transfer Secondary Breast Reconstruction Symmetrisation and NAC Reconstruction

Code: MED-7098E Credits: 20

This module is about the clinical management of complex breast aesthetic surgery cases. This module will provide participants with comprehensive knowledge in all aspects of complex aesthetic breast surgery, including the management of congenital and acquired breast asymmetry. Topics will be discussed in depth on-line, analysing the most up-to-date evidence and identifying models of best practice. Participants will develop their decision- making and critical thinking skills, and can compare their learning to expert opinions in the field.

Code: MED-7068X Credits: 20

This module will provide participants with comprehensive knowledge in all aspects of breast augmentation, including the assessment of patients, consideration of psychosocial issues, informed consent, selection of appropriate devices, optimal peri-operative care, management of post-operative complications and effective addressing of medico-legal issues. Topics will be discussed in depth on-line, analysing the most up-to-date evidence and identifying models of best practice. Participants will develop their decision-making and critical thinking skills, and can compare their learning to expert opinions in the field.

Code: MED-7063X Credits: 20

This module covers Screening and DCIS, Management of the Axilla, Postmenopausal and Premenopausal Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer in High Risk Patients, Locally Advanced Breast Cancer and Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Code: MED-7066X Credits: 20

This module is about developing candidates as clinical leaders. It covers - How to write a business case, Innovation and strategy, Personality and leadership, High performance teams, Understanding your organisation, Managing resources and Healthcare economics

Code: XX Credits: XX

More module information will be available here soon.

Code: MED-7062D Credits: 20 

This is the Oncoplastic Breast Conserving Surgery Module. This module will start with a reading week before 14 weeks of online teaching commences. Topics in this module include: Pre-Operative Decision making Local Glandular Displacement Principles of Mammoplasty Therapeutic Mammoplasty Local Pedicle Flaps Lipomodelling Breast Symmetrisation.

Code: MED-7065D Credits: 20

The module examines service improvement and innovation and provides the scope and skills for you to undertake an evidence-based service improvement project. At the start of this module you must begin to think about their Research Dissertation. It is your responsibility to find a local Supervisor, who will be the primary contact during the dissertation, to arrange sponsorship, funding and ethics

Code: MED-7096D Credits: XX

This module will provide participants with comprehensive knowledge in all aspects of breast mastopexy surgery, including initial patient assessment, choice of surgical approach, essential elements of informed consent, management of post-operative complications and effective addressing of medico-legal issues. Topics will be discussed in depth on-line, analysing the most up-to-date evidence and identifying models of best practice. Participants will develop their decision-making and critical thinking skills, and can compare their learning to expert opinions in the field.

 You can choose to undertake a combination of the following 16-week-long online modules, providing advanced learning opportunities in oncological and aesthetic breast surgery. 

You must complete at least one oncoplastic module and one aesthetic module within your studies to qualify for the combined onco-aesthetic award. 

Oncoplastic modules 

• Benign breast disease 
• Malignant breast disease 
• Oncoplastic breast conserving surgery 
• Oncoplastic breast reconstruction 

Aesthetic modules 

• Breast Augmentation 
• Breast Reduction 
• Mastopexy 
• Complex aesthetic breast surgery 
• Breast Ultrasound for surgeons 

Generic modules 

• Leadership and management 
• Integrated research module 

Each module is structured within a 16 week period to cover a comprehensive syllabus, with learning outcomes mapped to the UK ISCP breast surgery curriculum, which all UK surgeons are expected to work to. We designate time for background reading and revision, and you will 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 (SCT). SCTs help you develop your critical thinking. 
• Constructing a personal management plan for the clinical case to demonstrate your understanding of the topic and develop your decision-making skills. 

You will need to demonstrate a minimum of 80% online engagement to receive CPD accreditation for each module. Following adequate online participation and successful completion of a summative assessment covering the 16-week module, you will be awarded 20 credits. If you acquire 60 credits at the end of your first year and decide to leave the course, you’ll finish with a Postgraduate Certificate; 120 credits (6 modules) over two years will earn you a Postgraduate Diploma if you decide to leave. 

Teaching 

All teaching will take place online, using a range of teaching techniques, including peer-group (PBL) discussion and specialist formative testing. Teaching is asynchronous, meaning that you do not have set times for your learning, but can undertake this around your clinical schedule. 

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. You will have the opportunity to build an international network with your student peers and your tutors to share and discuss best practice globally. 

Independent Study 

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

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.  

The assessment format for the clinical oncoplastic and aesthetic modules is a reflective essay, which will be submitted and marked online, and can also be utilised as evidence towards your professional portfolio. Your research and management modules will involve the online submission of a project relevant to an area of your own clinical practice. 

All assessments are marked according to the UEA postgraduate senate scale which also allows assessors to provide detailed feedback mapped to each requirement. All submissions must be your own work, as there are strict penalties for plagiarism and collusion.